Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been named World Rugby Coach of the Year, while Ardie Savea was crowned Men’s 15s Player of the Year at the World Rugby Awards in Paris. Farrell, who guided Ireland to their fourth ever Grand Slam earlier this year, took home the award ahead of fellow nominees Jacques Nienaber, Ian Foster and Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui. The Englishman presided over a remarkable 17-game winning streak which commenced during the summer test series victory in New Zealand last year but ended in gut-wrenching fashion in this month’s World Cup quarter-final against the same opposition. All Black back row Savea was named as Player of the Year, beating out from competition from Bundee Aki, Antoine Dupont and Eben Etzebeth. No fewer than five Irish players were included in the 2023 team of the year, with Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Caelan Doris and the centre due of Aki and Garry Ringrose all selected. Five French players were named – Cyrille Baille, Charles Ollivon, Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos and Damien Penaud. Remarkably, only one member from the World Cup winning Springboks was named, Etzebeth getting the nod in the second row. Four New Zealanders rounded off the team, with Ardie Savea, Scott Barrett and Will Jordan all included, with Richie Mo’unga taking the out-half berth. New Zealand wing Mark Tele’a was named Breakthrough Player of the Year, while Duhan van der Merwe’s individual try against England in the Six Nations was named Try of the Year. Limerick’s David McHugh, who officiated at three Rugby World Cups in 1995, 1999 and 2003 was given the World Rugby Referee Award.
Andy Farrell Wins World Rugby Coach of the Year
