Australia fullback Israel Folau has been nominated for World Rugby's Player of the Year award.
Folau, who is currently on a sabbatical from rugby, has had a superb season for the Wallabies and was on course to break the all-time Test try-scoring record had he not opted to take a break from the game during the national team's spring tour.
The 28-year-old is the sole Australian on the list and was top scorer in this season's Rugby Championship having scored 12 tries in his last 10 Tests.
All Blacks pair Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane have also been nominated, along with England's Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje, who were both excellent for the British and Irish Lions in last summer's drawn Test series with New Zealand.
New Zealand's Kelly Brazier and Portia Woodman, along with England's Lydia Thompson and France duo Romane Menager and Safi N'Diaye have been nominated for the Women's Player of the Year award.
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The prizes will be dished out at World Rugby's annual awards dinner in Monaco on November 26.
"There have been numerous highlights from a fascinating year of international rugby that comprised an outstanding Women's Rugby World Cup, a compelling British and Irish Lions tour, Six Nations and The Rugby Championship competitions and a superb program of Test rugby," World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said.
"I am sure there will be lots of debate over the coming weeks. I'd like to thank the panel for their expert consideration and look forward to the winners being announced at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco."
