Sexton on shortlist for IRB Player of Year

Johnny Sexton’s nomination for the IRB World Rugby Player of the Year Award gives him a chance of becoming the first Irishman since inaugural winner Keith Wood to take the prestigious honour.

The International Rugby Board yesterday named Sexton as the only Northern Hemisphere player on a five-man shortlist to succeed last year’s winner Kieran Read.

While Sexton, pictured, will be hoping to emulate the 2001 feat of Wood’s, New Zealand’s Brodie Retallick and Julian Savea can make it a third All Blacks win in a row following their nominations. Also in the mix to be named at their nation’s final match of 2014 are South Africa’s Willie le Roux and Duane Vermeulen.