Sexton and Ireland enjoy a clean sweep of top awards

Ireland’s outstanding year, which included a Grand Slam, a first victory over New Zealand in Dublin and an unbeaten autumn Test series, was recognised at the World Rugby awards here last night with a clean sweep of the top honours.

Johnny Sexton, Ireland’s fly-half, was named world player of the year for his role in their success, while also starring in Leinster’s Champions Cup triumph and Pro 14 title.

Ireland’s Joe Schmidt took the world coach of the year award for guiding his side to second in the rankings, from eighth when he took over in November 2013. Ireland were also named team of the year, having won 11 out of 12 Tests – including their third Grand Slam – and 18 of their last 19 since March 2017, when they denied England a second successive clean sweep.

Sexton warned, however, that Ireland had not yet reached their peak. “It’s been an incredible year for Irish rugby, to win everything we could,” Sexton said.

“There are areas we’ve definitely highlighted to improve, which will be important in World Cup year. People ask, ‘Have we peaked too soon?’ Well we haven’t, so we’re just getting better and hopefully we can continue to do that. We know everyone else is going to get better.

“We’ll be going into a lot of games now as favourites, so that will be a challenge for us. We’ve got to deal with being favourites and I’m sure we can do that.”

Schmidt did not attend the awards ceremony, while a decision is expected this week on whether he extends his Ireland contract beyond next year’s World Cup in Japan or returns to his native New Zealand, where he could succeed All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

Sexton said it would be impossible to put into words Schmidt’s influence on his career, having also worked with him when he was Leinster’s director of rugby.

“I’ve worked with him for eight years, and I can’t speak highly enough of him. No one’s had a bigger influence on my career.

“There are obviously other influences, but it’s been an incredible journey with him. He joined Ireland, we ticked off a lot of boxes. But there’s still one more box to tick and hopefully we can keep building towards that World Cup.”

Neither Eddie Jones nor any of his England players attended the dinner, as none was nominated, but several Rugby Football Union representatives were present, including president Chris Kelly.