Harinordoquy Europe's only IRB Award nominee

France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy is the only player from the northern hemisphere to make the six-man shortlist revealed today for the International Rugby Board’s Player of the Year award.

The Biarritz back-rower helped inspire Les Blues to a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2004, scoring a try in the win over Italy, and he is joined on the list, selected by an independent panel chaired by former Australia captain John Eales, by five players from the Tri Nations sides.