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Andy Farrell lands coach of the year despite Ireland quarter final exit

By PA
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 14: Coach of Ireland Andy Farrell speaks to the media during the post-match press conference following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match between Ireland and New Zealand (All Blacks) at Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been named World Rugby coach of the year for 2023.

Farrell, who was not in Paris to accept the award, saw off competition from South Africa’s Jacques Nienaber, New Zealand’s Ian Foster and Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui.

The 48-year-old Englishman guided Ireland to a Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year, but his side were knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals by New Zealand, who went on to lose to South Africa in the final.

New Zealand’s Ardie Savea was named men’s 15s player of the year ahead of Ireland’s Bundee Aki, France’s Antoine Dupont and South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth.

Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe won try of the year for his long-range solo effort against England during the Six Nations.