Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton won the 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year award at Sunday night’s ceremony in Monaco.
Sexton saw off the challenge of All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett, who won the award in 2016 and 2017, Bok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane and Bok hooker Malcolm Marx.
The 33-year-old is the first Irishman to win the award since hooker Keith Wood in 2003.
WATCH: 2018 World Rugby Awards
Ireland were named Team of the Year after winning 11 of their 12 Tests in 2018. They claimed a Six Nations Grand Slam, achieved a first Test series win in Australia since 1979, and recently beat the All Blacks on Irish soil for the first time in 113 years of trying.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was named Coach of the Year.
Springbok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi won the Breakthrough Player of the Year award, for which Ireland wing Jordan Larmour and All Blacks prop Karl Tu’inukuafe were also nominated.
ALSO READ: Dyantyi wins World Rugby award
2018 World Rugby Awards winners:
World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year: Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
Congratulations to Johnny Sexton, who has won the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year 2018 award in association with @Mastercard #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/eYOWaKLJ0o
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year: Jessy Trémoulière (France)
After a stunning year, congratulations to Jessy Trémoulière who has won the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year 2018 award in association with @Mastercard #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/VSi2xXRYMF
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Team of the Year: Ireland
After a stunning year, @Irishrugby are your World Rugby Team of the Year 2018 #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/OsGD4a1A3Q
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Coach of the Year: Joe Schmidt (Ireland)
Congratulations to @irishrugby‘s Joe Schmidt, the World Rugby Coach of the Year 2018 #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/bEcfKEQGCQ
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Referee of the Year: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Your World Rugby Referee of the Year is Angus Gardner #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/DvpAqDG0Qp
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
International Rugby Players Try of the Year: Brodie Retallick (All Blacks)
A thrilling end-to-end try, congratulations to @allblacks and Brodie Retallick who have won the @IntRugbyPlayers Try of the Year 2018 #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/Hf15zX14Kp
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year: Aphiwe Dyanti (Springboks)
Congratulations to Aphiwe Dyanti of @Springboks who has picked up the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year 2018 award in association with Tudor #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/4Nq4TfpQ9D
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year: Perry Baker (USA)
Congratulations to Perry Baker who has won the World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year 2018 award in association with @HSBC_Sport #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/Oi7HVzVDRj
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) November 25, 2018
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year: Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
Congratulations to Michaela Blyde who has won the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year 2018 award in association with @HSBC_Sport, for the second year in a row! #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/3YRTQW3vep
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) November 25, 2018
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award: Stephen Moore & DJ Forbes
Congratulations to Stephen Moore and DJ Forbes who have received the @IntRugbyPlayers Special Merit Award #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/W4ZP3CML8r
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
Spirit of Rugby Award: Jamie Armstrong and The Clan
An incredible story and now the recipient of the Spirit of Rugby Award, in association with @DoveMenUK congratulations to Jamie Armstrong and The Clan #SpiritOfRugby #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/DwX33j26aD
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
Award for Character: Doddie Weir
An inspiration to all, a giant of a man and a truly heartwarming individual.
The Award for Character in association with @LandRoverRugby goes to the incredible Doddie Weir #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/NswEJ47KkP
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service: Yoshirō Mori
The first award of the night is the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service 2018, going to former Japanese prime minister and current president of the Japan Rugby Football Union Yoshirō Mori! #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/qKSwIziJIW
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2018
