Simon Middleton named World Rugby Coach of the Year
Simon Middleton has become the first women's team coach to win World Rugby Coach of the Year.
©PA
England Women's head coach Simon Middleton has been declared the winner of World Rugby Coach of the Year award.
Middleton went on to beat New Zealand head coach Ian Foster, Australia's Dave Rennie and New Zealand Women's Sevens coaches Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney to take the honours.
Under Middleton, England Women completed a double over New Zealand in the Autumn internationals while also defeated their Canada and the USA counterparts after guiding the team to their third consecutive Six Nations title earlier in the year.
The result in the Autumn internationals also meant the red rose team registered their 18th consecutive victory levelling the record of England Men's team. Though, New Zealand Women's team still hold the record for the all-time tier-one Test record with 24 wins that came between 2002 and 2009.
Meanwhile, Damian Penaud’s try for France against Scotland in March was declared International Rugby Players Men's Try of the Year as he defeated other nominees Lukhanyo Am (South Africa A, v British and Irish Lions on 14 July) ; Pierre-Louis Barassi (France, v Australia on 17 July) ; Luke Jacobson (New Zealand, v Argentina on 12 September).
France’s Emilie Boulard went on to claim the award for International Rugby Players Women's Try of the Year for her brilliance during the game against Wales in April with the other nominees are Sara Barattin (Italy, v Scotland on 13 September) ; Abby Dow (England, v France on 30 April) ; Romane Ménager (France, v Ireland on 17 April).
Andrew Cole of Australia claimed the World Rugby Referee Award with New Zealand's Will Jordan named the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.
World Rugby Awards 2021
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in association with Tudor - Will Jordan (NZL)
Other nominees: Andrew Kellaway (AUS), Louis Rees-Zammit (WAL), Marcus Smith (ENG)
World Rugby Coach of the Year - Simon Middleton (England Women's)
Other nominees: Allan Bunting/Cory Sweeney (New Zealand Women's Sevens), Dave Rennie (Australia Men's), Ian Foster (New Zealand Men's)
International Rugby Players Men's Try of the Year - Damian Penaud (France, v Scotland on 26 March)
Other nominees: Lukhanyo Am (South Africa A, v British and Irish Lions on 14 July) ; Pierre-Louis Barassi (France, v Australia on 17 July) ; Luke Jacobson (New Zealand, v Argentina on 12 September)
International Rugby Players Women's Try of the Year - Emilie Boulard (France, v Wales on 3 April)
Other nominees: Sara Barattin (Italy, v Scotland on 13 September) ; Abby Dow (England, v France on 30 April) ; Romane Ménager (France, v Ireland on 17 April)
World Rugby Referee Award - Andrew Cole (Australia)
