Farrell shortlisted for IRB Player of the Year

England fly-half Owen Farrell has been nominated for the International Rugby Board's Player of the Year award.
Farrell has been shortlisted alongside All Blacks duo Richie McCaw and Dan Carter as well as France's Frederic Michalak.
The selection of 21-year-old Farrell, who was the revelation of the last Six Nations symbolising the new Lancaster's genaration, comes as Argentina captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Wales flanker Dan Lydiate, this year's Player of Six Nations, All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read, South Africa winger Bryan Habana and Australia flanker David Pocock  all miss out despite outstanding seasons.
McCaw is in line to win the trophy for a record fourth time after winning it in 2006, 2009 and 2010 while Carter could join him as a multiple winner after his 2005 success.
Michalak's nomination rewards the Frenchman sensational season with both France and the Natal Sharks. Since his return to the national squad last summer, he helped Les Bleus climb to the fourth IRB world rank while he was the standout performer to lead the Sharks to the Super Rugby final.
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “It has been a compelling year of international Rugby with the introduction of the expanded Tours and Tests calendar, Argentina's successful inauguration into The Rugby Championship and the race for rankings points to secure a favourable RWC 2015 Pool draw.
“As ever, the competition has been fierce and the panel had a tough time deliberating the shortlist from a number of stand-out candidates. All four players on the shortlist thoroughly deserve their place after standout performances during the year and consistency in the tough environment that is Test Rugby.”
The IRB Player of the Year nominees were selected by the IRB Awards independent panel of judges, which is chaired by Australia's RWC'99 winning captain John Eales and also includes Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga and Paul Wallace.
“This has been one of the closest years to date. In fact the result could be influenced significantly by this weekend's matches, making it a highly contested prize,” said panel chairman Eales.
The winner of the prestigious Award will be announced at the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool Allocation Draw in London on December 3, along with the IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year Awards.
Previous winners: 
2011 – Thierry Dusautoir (France)
2010 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2009 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2008 – Shane Williams (Wales)
2007 – Bryan Habana (South Africa)
2006 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2005 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2004 – Schalk Burger (South Africa)
2003 – Jonny Wilkinson (England)
2002 – Fabien Galthié (France)
2001 – Keith Wood (Ireland)