CAELAN DORIS HAS been nominated for the World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year award.
The Ireland captain is included on the four-player shortlist confirmed by World Rugby this morning, with South African trio Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit – who won the award in 2019 – and Cheslin Kolbe also nominated.
Doris has enjoyed an excellent season, helping Ireland to Six Nations success before claiming a Test win in South Africa for only the second time. The Leinster backrower also took over the Ireland captaincy from Peter O’Mahony.
Three Irish players have won the award previously – Keith Wood (2001), Johnny Sexton (2018) and Josh van der Flier (2022).
Meanwhile, Jamie Osborne has been shortlisted for the Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year.
The versatile Leinster and Ireland back is nominated alongside South Africa’s Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, England’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and New Zealand’s Wallace Sititi.
Osborne, 23, has been in outstanding form for club and country, winning his first Ireland cap in South Africa in July – starting both Tests against the Springboks at fullback.
Ireland are also represented in the Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year category, where Erin King is on the shortlist.
The Olympian made her Ireland debut against Australia in September and scored two tries in a famous win against New Zealand at the WXV1 tournament later that month.
James Lowe’s try against England in the Six Nations is up for Men’s Try of the Year.
Terry Kennedy is nominated for Men’s Sevens Player of the Year after scoring 32 tries during the 2024 series, but the 2022 winner will face stiff competition from France superstar Antoine Dupont following his Olympic heroics.
The winners will announced in Monaco on Sunday, 24 November.
Nominees for World Rugby Awards 2024:
Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (RSA)
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (ENG)
- Jamie Osborne (IRE)
- Wallace Sititi (NZL)
Men’s 15s Player of the Year
- Caelan Doris (IRE)
- Eben Etzebeth (RSA)
- Pieter-Steph du Toit (RSA)
- Cheslin Kolbe (RSA)
Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
- Caitlyn Halse (AUS)
- Maddie Feaunati (ENG)
- Erin King (IRE)
- Hannah King (NZL)
Women’s 15s Player of the Year
- Pauline Bourdon Sansus (FRA)
- Ellie Kildunne (ENG)
- Alex Matthews (ENG)
- Alex Tessier (CAN)
Women’s 15s Try of the Year
- Alyssa D’Incà (Italy v Scotland, Women’s Six Nations, 20 April)
- Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand v Australia, Pacific Four Series, 25 May)
- Maya Stewart (Australia v Wales, WXV, 28 September)
- Marine Ménager (France v Canada, WXV, 29 September)
Men’s Sevens Player of the Year
- Antoine Dupont (FRA)
- Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (FRA)
- Terry Kennedy (IRE)
Women’s Sevens Player of the Year
- Michaela Blyde (NZL)
- Maddison Levi (AUS)
- Jorja Miller (NZL)
Other categories with winners announced on 24 November
- International Rugby Players Special Merit Award
- World Rugby Coach of the Year
- World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
- World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year
- World Rugby Women’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year
- World Rugby Men’s Sevens Dream Team of the Year
I thought the same thing at the time. Here’s our greatest rugby athlete being let down by the medical staff at the very end of his career (pre one more year). Why there wasnt a bigger outcry and inquiry at the time baffled me. Glad it’s now being centre staged. The medics have questions to answer
I agree completely , unfortunately people are selfish and just want him to continue playing as the man is so important to us. Somebody should have sat the man down and protected him. He has hopefully 40 plus years to live his life and he needs to remember that rugby ain’t everything.
the old saying rings true, ‘nobody shoots a winning race horse’
I imagine the medical staff are under severe pressure to get him back in. Strange decision – the irfu have a fantastic medical team as witnessed by the use of Dr. Falvey with the lions.
Have to admit- on most other things related to rugby I think the use of slow motion constant replays have made things that are quite innocuous look very serious. On this matter this guy is spot on, any brain injury needs the most time to recover- I love the game and selfishly I want him to come back on the field but the best thing for a concussed player is rarely considered in urgent situations. The More debate and awareness of this issue the better, we need to protect guys like these bravery from themselves.
I’m with you, Richard!
Nowinski is a top bloke. He’s done a lot of work to help reducw head trauma and concussions in pro wrestling and other contact sports
Well fair play to him getting involved in rugby.
I agree this guy stepped up after concussion put an end to his pro wrestling career… He had done an epic amount of work in regards to head trauma in sports…. Something that has to be taken more serious here….. As usual Ireland will not act until it takes a life…
I worry about BOD. He is so committed on the field and I hope he doesn’t end up with some long term injury at this stage of his career.
I remember the incident and was equelly amazed that BOD was allowed back on the field,he was very groggy and and unsteady on his feet,and i remember thinking that he must have bypassed the physio and had the final say,but for anyone watching,they just knew that it defied logic to see him back on with his head bandaged, but thats our Brian.
Agree 100 percent ..the hits in the game these days are scary, all players need to be protected and Bod is a national treasure ;)
In light of what we now know regarding knocks to the head and the potential risk of concussion, i think it is incumbent on sports managers to be fully versed on the danger associated with such incidents. Questions have to be asked as to the role of the medical team (or doctor) regarding a player who has suffered a concussion,or a severe head injury being allowed back onto the field of play in such a state.
In such scenario as outlined above, it is much better to err on the side of caution in order to avoid the potential for brain damage to occur and the long term implications that such injuries entail
There has been far too much talk and no action on the concussion issue. Why are the IRFU refusing to comment. The recent Falvey interview was complacency at its worst. Surely there is enough evidence now to warrant some official reaction either by John Treacy becoming involved or The Department of Health arranging proper investigation.