Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has been named Philips Sports manager of the year.
The award comes after a stellar 2014 which saw Ireland rise to third in the world under the stewardship of former-Leinster boss Schmidt, who took over from Declan Kidney in 2013.
Schmidt’s Ireland climbed the IRB rankings thanks to a Six Nations championship, the first since 2009, and a first autumn grand slam since 2006 which included famous victories over South Africa and Australia.
It was the Six Nations title, secured in a dramatic final game in Paris, which won Schmidt the manager of the month award for March, and Ireland’s subsequent continuing rise has secured him the yearly gong.
Among the managers Schmidt beat to the award was last year's winner, Dublin football boss Jim Gavin, as well as current Leinster Matt O'Connor boss and horse trainer Aidan O'Brien.
