Last year’s winner Antoine Dupont as well as the Springboks’ Lukhanyo Am are among four nominees for the World Rugby men’s player of the year award, the global body announced on Monday.

France scrumhalf Dupont and centre Am are joined by Ireland pair Jonny Sexton, a winner in 2018, and Josh van der Flier.

Dupont captained Les Bleus to their first Six Nations title in more than a decade in March while skipper Sexton and flanker van der Flier guided their country to the top of the world rankings during 12 months where they claimed their first series win over New Zealand.

Am is included despite playing just five of the Springboks’ 10 Tests so far this year due to injury.

In the breakthrough category Italy’s Ange Capuozzo, England’s Harry Arundell and Ireland duo Mark Hansen and Dan Sheehan are the nominees.

In the women’s categories, Ruahei Demant and Portia Woodman are nominated for the main prize after helping New Zealand to the Rugby World Cup title on Saturday.

Canada’s Sophie de Goede, England’s Alex Matthews, a losing finalist last weekend, and France’s Laure Sansus are also included.

The winners will be named on Sunday during a ceremony in Monaco.

Nominations

Men’s player of the year:

Lukhanyo Am (RSA)

Antoine Dupont (FRA)

Johnny Sexton (IRL)

Josh van der Flier (IRL)

Coach of the year:

Andy Farrell (Ireland men’s)

Fabien Galthie (France men’s)

Simon Middleton (England women’s)

Wayne Smith (New Zealand women’s)

Women’s breakthrough player of the year:

Maud Muir (ENG)

Vitalina Naikore (FIJ)

Maiakawanakaulani Roos (NZL)

Ruby Tui (NZL)

Men’s breakthrough player of the year:

Henry Arundell (ENG)

Ange Capuozzo (ITA)

Mark Hansen (IRL)

Dan Sheehan (IRL)

Women’s try of the year:

Sylvia Brunt (New Zealand v Wales on 16 October)

Emily Chancellor (Australia, v England on 30 October)

Abby Dow (England v Canada on 5 November)

Linda Djougang (Ireland, v Wales on 26 March)

Nomawethu Mabenge (South Africa, v Spain on 12 August)

Men’s try of the year:

Rodrigo Fernandez (Chile, v USA on 9 July)

Lalakai Foketi (Australia v France on 5 November)

Chris Harris (Scotland, v Italy on 12 March)

Edoardo Padovani (Italy, v Wales on 19 March)

Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales, v South Africa on 2 July)

Women’s sevens player of the year:

Charlotte Caslick (AUS)

Maddison Levi (AUS)

Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe (IRL)

Faith Nathan (AUS)

Men’s sevens player of the year:

Terry Kennedy (IRL)

Nick Malouf (AUS)

Kaminieli Rasaku (FIJ)

Corey Toole (AUS)

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Twitter: @Springboks