Andy Farrell in contention for World Rugby’s coach of the year award

Mack Hansen and Dan Sheehan are competing for breakthrough player of the year meanwhile.

TOP MAN: Andy Farrell has guided Ireland to top of the world rankings (Brian Lawless/PA)

Ireland boss Andy Farrell has been nominated for World Rugby’s coach of the year award.

Farrell, who masterminded Ireland’s stunning Test series triumph against New Zealand in July and has seen his team rise to become world number one, is among four contenders.

He is joined by England women’s head coach Simon Middleton, New Zealand women’s supremo Wayne Smith and France boss Fabien Galthie.

Introducing your nominees for the 2022 World Rugby Coach of the Year title.#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/O5BcAezMk3

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 14, 2022

The Red Roses won 30 successive Tests under Middleton’s direction, although that run ended in a World Cup final defeat against New Zealand on Saturday.

Galthie, meanwhile, oversaw France’s first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2010 earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Ireland wing Mack Hansen and hooker Dan Sheehan have also been nominated for World Rugby men’s breakthrough player of the year award.

England prop Maud Muir is in contention for a major World Rugby award (Andrew Matthews/PA)

In the women’s breakthrough category, England prop Maud Muir is among the contenders.

Muir featured in all 13 of England’s games this year, including a late substitute appearance during the World Cup final in Auckland.

The World Rugby awards ceremony takes place in Monaco on Sunday.