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Johnny Sexton has been crowned World Rugby Player of the Year on a night of sweeping success for Ireland.<\/p>\nJohnny Sexton has been crowned World Rugby Player of the Year on a night of sweeping success for Ireland.<\/p>\n
Joe Schmidt scooped the coach of the year award, with Ireland named team of the year in a triple win for the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam winners at the World Rugby Awards.<\/p>\n
British and Irish Lions fly-half Sexton has become the first northern hemisphere winner of World Rugby\u2019s top accolade since France\u2019s Thierry Dusautoir in 2011.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old is just the second Irishman to land the gong, following in the footsteps of former Ireland hooker Keith Wood, in 2001.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been an incredible year for Irish rugby, to win everything we could, really,\u201d Sexton told Press Association Sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been very special, and a few of us have ended up here tonight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are areas we\u2019ve definitely highlighted to improve, which will be important in World Cup year.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeams try to peak for World Cup years. People ask have we peaked too soon? Well we haven\u2019t peaked, so we\u2019re just getting better and hopefully we can continue to do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to improve ahead of the general curve. We know everyone else is going to get better.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be going into a lot of games now as favorites after what\u2019s happened this year, so that will be a challenge for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to deal with being favorites and I\u2019m sure we can do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sexton\u2019s stunning drop-goal on the 41st phase of the final play secured Ireland a 15-13 win over France in Paris, as Schmidt\u2019s men set the ball rolling on just their third-ever Grand Slam.<\/p>\n
The lynchpin playmaker also guided Leinster to the PRO14-Champions Cup double, before starring when Ireland toppled back-to-back world champions New Zealand 16-9 in Dublin earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Kiwi boss Schmidt has guided Ireland from eighth to second in the world rankings in five years at the Test helm.<\/p>\n
That rise has proved as measured as it has rapid, and has earned the taskmaster boss the coach of the year prize.<\/p>\n
South Africa\u2019s Aphiwe Dyantyi pipped Ireland\u2019s Jordan Larmour to the Breakthrough Player of the Year award.<\/p>\n
France\u2019s Jessy Tremouliere is World Rugby Women\u2019s 15s Player of the Year, with New Zealand\u2019s Michaela Blyde claiming the Women\u2019s Sevens award.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s Angus Gardner picked up the Referee Award, with Doddie Weir scooping the Award for Character.<\/p>\n
Jamie Armstrong of charity The Clan was handed the Spirit of Rugby Award, while Stephen Moore and DJ Forbes both picked up the IRP Special Merit Award.<\/p>\n