International Rugby Players Try of the Year: Nominations

International Rugby Players Men’s 15s Try of the Year

• Nolann Le Garrec (France v England, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)
• James Lowe (Ireland v England, Men’s Six Nations, 10 March)
• Lorenzo Pani (Italy v Wales, Men’s Six Nations, 17 March)
• Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia v Australia, July Internationals, 20 July)

VOTE: https://www.world.rugby/awards/toty  (Voting closes at 17.00 GMT on Wednesday, November 20th)

Four tries scored by European nations, three from the Men’s Six Nations and one from the July internationals, make up the shortlist for this year’s Try of the Year award.

Ireland’s James Lowe finished off a fine team move in acrobatic fashion against England in Twickenham in March, profiting from excellent work from Jack Crowley and Caelan Doris before Ciaran Frawley gave the scoring pass. Another flowing attack gave Italy full-back Lorenzo Pani space on the right wing against Wales a week later and he cut inside three would-be tacklers before hitting Ronaldo’s ‘siu’ celebration.

In the same round, a stolen lineout gave France the platform to attack England from deep inside their own half. Gaël Fickou added impetus to the move before a sumptuous dummy and offload from Louis Bielle-Biarrey released Nolann Le Garrec to score. Not to be outdone, Georgia’s Akaki Tabutsadze went coast to coast against Australia in July. Receiving the ball behind his own try line, the winger launched a long clearance kick and easily won the race to the bouncing ball to score at the opposite end.

International Rugby Players Women’s 15s Try of the Year

• Alyssa D’Incà (Italy v Scotland, Women’s Six Nations, 20 April)
• Marine Ménager (France v Canada, WXV, 29 September)
• Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealandv Australia, Pacific Four Series, 25 May)
• Maya Stewart (Australia v Wales, WXV, 28 September)

VOTE: https://www.world.rugby/awards/toty (Voting closes at 17.00 GMT on Wednesday, November 20th)

One try each from the Women’s Six Nations, Pacific Four Series, WXV 1 and WXV 2 make up this year’s nominees. Playing in the centre against Scotland in April, Alyssa D’Incà displayed all her try-scoring nous to hit a brilliant line and slice through a defence that had been pulled out of shape. She then showed composure to step inside two players and score. Georgia Ponsonby’s try against Australia in May had it all, from Sylvia Brunt’s stunning break, leaving defenders strewn in her wake, to the hands of Iritana Hohaia and Amy Du Plessis and the finish from the hooker.

The first offering from WXV was scored by Maya Stewart against Wales. Receiving the ball inside her own half, the winger burst through two tackles and then slalomed past another three on her way to the line. The following day in Vancouver, Lina Queyroi and Marine Ménager caught the Canada defence napping. After a stunning 50-22, Queyroi found the winger with a quick lineout and Ménager did the rest.