Five favourites to win World Rugby Player of the Year revealed

But who are the frontrunners as things stand? We've taken a look at five candidates for the prize.

Look up the meaning of the word 'inspiration' in a dictionary and there's a reasonable chance you'll encounter a picture of this guy.

Australia's player of the year, the third time he's won the award, joining Israel Folau as the only man to achieve such a feat. A devastating breakdown operator, he also reached the landmark of 100 Tests.

Boasts the physical edge and abrasiveness you expect from a South African second row, while he’s a real lineout technician at 6ft 8ins tall. However, he also possesses startling pace and is comfortable with ball in hand. His performance for Toulon against the Scarlets in January was on a different level.

The biggest compliment you can pay Itoje is there are few bigger thorns to deal with. He has the intelligence and athleticism to spoil any form of ball your team might have - be it in the lineout, the breakdown or open phase play.

The French scrum-half is just sheer quality, perhaps the finest proponent of a pre-emptive supporting line in Test rugby at the moment. If you switch off in defence for even a second, you can expect to see Dupont running off a shoulder to score.