International Rugby Players Special Merit Award

Last updated
IRP Special Merit Award
Date2007;18 years ago (2007)
Presented by World Rugby
First award2007
Currently held by Flag of New Zealand.svg Dan Carter (2025)

The International Rugby Players Special Merit Award is presented at the World Rugby Awards by World Rugby. The award is presented to a player by fellow players in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the professional game on and off the field. The recipient of the award is selected by the International Rugby Players organization. [1]

Contents

Recipients

YearRecipientsRefs
2007 Flag of France.svg Fabien Pelous
2008 Flag of Argentina.svg Agustín Pichot
2011 Flag of Australia (converted).svg George Smith
2015 Flag of Ireland.svg Brian O'Driscoll
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nathan Sharpe 		[2] [3]
2016 Flag of South Africa.svg Jean de Villiers [4]
2017 Flag of New Zealand.svg Richie McCaw
Flag of England.svg Rachael Burford
2018 Flag of New Zealand.svg DJ Forbes
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Stephen Moore
2019 Flag of Ireland.svg Jamie Heaslip [5] [6]
2022 Flag of South Africa.svg Bryan Habana [7]
2023 Flag of South Africa.svg John Smit [8]
2024 Flag of England.svg Vickii Cornborough [9]
2025 Flag of New Zealand.svg Dan Carter [10]

References

  1. ↑ Wright, Jared (2024-10-24). "2024 World Rugby Awards: Star-studded voting panels, criteria and date confirmed for the prestigious event". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  2. ↑ "O'Driscoll Receives IRPA Special Merit Award". Leinster Rugby. 2015-11-02. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  3. ↑ "O'Driscoll Honoured With IRPA Special Merit Award". Irish Rugby. 2015-11-02. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  4. ↑ "SARU congratulates World Rugby award winners". Sport. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  5. ↑ "Heaslip wins IRP Special Merit honour at World Rugby Awards". Leinster Rugby. 2019-11-04. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  6. ↑ "Watch: Jamie Heaslip Picks Up Special Merit At The World Rugby Awards". Extra.ie. 2019-11-04. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  7. ↑ "Josh van der Flier and Ruahei Demant named World Rugby Players of the Year 2022". www.world.rugby. 2022-11-20. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  8. ↑ "Ardie Savea named World Rugby Men's Player of the Year 2023". www.world.rugby. 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  9. ↑ "Ellie Kildunne, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Maddison Levi and Antoine Dupont named World Rugby Players of the Year". World Rugby. 2024-11-24. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  10. ↑ "Women's Rugby World Cup stars shine in World Rugby Awards 2025". www.world.rugby. 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2025-10-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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