France take home the first two World Rugby awards of 2021

The winner of the International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year award has been revealed.

Damian Penaud’s try for France against Scotland (March 26) in this year’s Six Nations won the fan vote.

The other nominees for the award were Lukhanyo Am (South Africa A, v British and Irish Lions on July 14), Pierre-Louis Barassi (France, v Australia on July 17) and Luke Jacobson (New Zealand, v Argentina on September 12).

Going from one 22 to another, France fashioned a score for the ages in that match against Scotland at Stade de France.

Taking a quick tap from a marked box kick, fullback Brice Dulin set off on an electrifying run before finding Romain Ntamack and Arthur Vincent in support.

Antoine Dupont swiftly transferred the ball away from the breakdown and Virimi Vakatawa drew the defence before offloading to Damian Penaud whose footballing skills – including a chip, chase and dribble – took him over in the corner for a wonderful try.

Meanwhile, the winner of the International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year award is France’s Emilie Boulard.

Trailing 0-43 with under three minutes to play, Wales managed to clear their lines but only to near halfway where hat-trick scorer Caroline Boujard fielded the kick and immediately found Jessy Trémoulière.

France worked the ball out to Emilie Boulard on the left wing, the debutant fullback finding Maëlle Filopon on the loop around to take play into the Welsh 22. The centre passed inside to Camille Imart, who drew the defence before passing back out to Boulard to go over in the corner.