Heaslip picks up Try of the Year

Jamie Heaslip's score against Italy in the RBS Six Nations has been named the International Rugby Players' Association Try of the Year.

Heaslip powered over the line after a superb team effort, which began deep in Ireland's own 22, and his try won 57% share of the 16,000 votes cast.

As expected the All Blacks dominated the World Rugby Awards with out-half Beauden Barrett becoming the fifth New Zealand play in a row to be crowned World Rugby Men's Player of the Year, beating Heaslip, Dane Coles, Billy Vunipola, Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell.

"It means so much and it is certainly not something I expected to be awarded, or even to have my name thrown in the mix with the talented players we saw nominated," Barrett said.

"It's a by-product of a couple of great teams I have been a part of this year, the Hurricanes and the All Blacks. I have to thank the coaches and my team-mates around me because without them I wouldn't be here."

New Zealand were named World Rugby Team of the Year, while Steve Hansen picked up the Coach of the Year prize.

Former Ireland international Syd Millar was presented with the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service.

Millar won 39 caps for Ireland and also represented the British and Irish Lions in nine Tests before managing both Ireland and the Lions.

Commenting on the awards, World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: "We have witnessed an exceptional 2016 on and off the field featuring a game-changing return to the Olympic Games after 92 years, compelling Men's and Women's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and of course a captivating year of 15s Tests and Championships.

"With so much collective and personal achievement during the year, it was very tough selecting our awards winners. The All Blacks were again dominant and thoroughly deserve their accolades, though the exploits of Fiji and Australia at the Olympics and a resurgent England under Eddie Jones were notable too.

"I would like to congratulate all our winners and nominees this evening and look forward to what promises to be a very special 2017 with the Women's Rugby World Cup, the Men's and Women's Sevens Series and the British & Irish Lions tour."

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