STAR DUO EYE WORLD AWARD

JOHNNY SEXTON and Josh van der Flier have been shortlisted for World Rugby Player of the Year.

They are among eight Irish nominations for recognition when the ceremony takes place in Monaco on Sunday.

Out-half Sexton (above left), who won the award in 2018, has been an inspirational skipper as his country sit at the top of the world rankings while flanker van der Flier (above right) is Ireland’s Player of the Year.

The Leinster pair are up against French superstar Antoine Dupont and South Africa’s Lukhanyo Am for the coveted gong.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell has been nominated for the World