IRB player of the year: Having scaled new heights over the past 12 months, it comes as no surprise to learn that Brian O'Driscoll has been shortlisted for the IRB player of the year. And the Grand Slam winning captain is joined on the select seven man panel by his Leinster and Ireland teammate Jamie Heaslip.

Although O’Driscoll has been shortlisted in the past, he has yet to claim the IRB accolade. In 2001 he lost out to Keith Wood and was overlooked again a year later when Fabien Galthie picked up the gong.

This year he will face competition from Heaslip, 2006 winner Richie McCaw, the South African duo of Francois Steyn and Fourie du Preez, Australia’s Matt Giteau and Tom Croft of England.

The nominees were selected by an independent panel of judges that included Paul Wallace and Gavin Hastings. They watched over 60 hours of action from 46 matches, awarding points to the three players they thought stood out in each match.

The winner, together with the IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year, will be announced on Sunday, Novmeber 29th.