The frontrunners for World Player of the Year ahead of the Rugby World Cup

With the Six Nations having been completed in February and the Rugby Championship decided in late July, the early contenders for World Rugby Player of the Year have emerged.

Whilst the result of the Rugby World Cup will heavily dictate the eventual finalists, the team that wins in France will likely end up producing the World Rugby men’s 15s Player of the Year, those that have already put runs on the board are best placed to continue that form into the showpiece event.

With that in mind, here are the early candidates based on the Tests played so for 2023.

Antoine Dupont

France’s scrumhalf was again in sensational form during the Six Nations and is sure to earn a third nomination with a successful Rugby World Cup.

Dupont won the award in 2021 and was nominated again in 2022, the year that France put together a Grand Slam and an undefeated calendar. Had the award been handed out in 2020, he may have well won that one too.

Although France finished second in this year’s tournament, losing only to Ireland in Dublin, Dupont was instrumental in wins over England and Scotland.

He produced four try assists, equal first with flyhalf Romain Ntamack for most in the tournament, while ranking top five in offloads and broken tackles.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

25

28

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

100%

Ntamack was building a case for a Player of the Year nomination himself but his ACL injury means Dupont will carry the flag for France.

His try-saving tackle on Mack Hansen against Ireland will long live on highlight reels from the 2023 season.

Richie Mo’unga

After a shaky start in Mendoza coming off the bench, the All Blacks first-choice No 10 was integral in the defeat of South Africa at Mt Smart.

His game management was exceptional, while his accuracy off the tee kept the Boks at bay. He finished the night with a try down the blind side skinning Damian Willemse.

He was equally important in Melbourne managing the backfield in the 38-7 win over the Wallabies. He had an opportunist try rubbed out.

In Dunedin off the bench he iced the game with a key penalty a few minutes from full-time.

Mo’unga could make a run for the award with another statement performance over France and through the finals stages at the World Cup.

Caelan Doris

Few would credit the Irish No 8 with being one of the game’s top players but the back rower has been integral to Ireland’s success in 2023.

Doris has kept British & Irish Lions starter Jack Conan on the bench for Ireland’s pack.

His all-rounded game is so key to Ireland, with his explosive running he is often used as the lead carry option, which requires the soft passing skills to link in behind with the key playmakers to make the attack click.

Against Wales in round one in the forward-heavy game plan he finished with 12 carries and 18 tackles, adding a turnover and a try in a 34-10 win.

In the 32-19 win over France he made 21 carries, one turnover, and produced a try assist for Garry Ringrose to seal the game with a wild fling around the back of French centre Gael Fickou.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

12 - 45

20 - 29

15 - 32

48 - 7

29 - 28

17 - 22

27 - 42

18 - 27

18 - 32

27 - 22

4

Wins

4

4

Streak

1

25

Tries Scored

17

99

Points Difference

18

4/5

First Try

2/5

4/5

First Points

2/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

3/5

He lasted just 12 minutes against Scotland due to injury but came back to play England to seal the Grand Slam with a 78-minute performance.

Again he finished with a rugby double-double in terms of double digit carries (11) and tackles (11), adding another turnover.

Doris finished with the equal most turnovers won (5) during the Six Nations.

Additionally, as a lineout option and considering his cleanout work around the park, Doris’ contributions are invaluable.

If Ireland make a deep run at the Rugby World Cup he is sure to feature heavily and a nomination will be on the table.

Outside chances

It is so hard for wingers to justify a nomination, but if they were to be included, France’s Damian Penaud would be top of the list after a blistering 2023 closely followed by Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe and All Black Mark Telea.

Scott Barrett has been the form All Black forward this year but his two yellow cards against South Africa may harm his chances.

Finn Russell had a good Six Nations with a sublime performance in the demolition of Wales. He would need to take Scotland very deep in the World Cup.

Romain Ntamack was more influential than Dupont in this year’s Six Nations and had he not been injured, would have certainly been in the mix to be nominated.

Ireland could have a few more in the mix if they have a successful Rugby World Cup with Johnny Sexton likely needed to produce his best.

South Africa don’t have a clear cut candidate for the award due to chopping and changing the team so much, not allowing the star players to build a decent case so far.

The stars that blew Australia off the park were left at home for the trip to New Zealand, and then mixed up for the two clashes with Argentina.

However, a World Cup win could propel the likes of Andre Esterhuizen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen or Siya Kolisi into the nomination mix who have shown flashes of exceptional play.

They do have a few strong candidates that could take the Breakthrough Player of the Year award, Kurt Lee-Arendse or Canan Moodie.

Australia don’t have any viable Player of the Year candidates, but Mark Nawaqanitawase and Tom Hooper are considerations for the Breakthrough Player.

England, Wales, Italy and Argentina just don’t have the results to justify anyone for World Player of the Year at this stage.