It’s the awards season and time to issue my annual warning about the vaguely ridiculous nature of awards – remember that between them Richard Burton, Peter O’Toole and Glenn Close clocked up 22 Oscar nominations without winning the damned thing once, although they did eventually give O’Toole an honorary gong for just “still being here” to quote the great man.

The World Rugby Men’s nominations have been announced, and as ever, they leave plenty of room for, er, debate.
For example, the breakthrough player of the year – “recognising emerging talents who have made a significant impact on the i...