Sunday 26 November 2017 23:16, UK
England’s Eddie Jones has been named World Rugby Coach of the Year at an awards ceremony in Monaco.
Jones' side finished 2017 with nine victories from 10 games, with the defeat to Ireland in March during the final match of a successful Six Nations defence his only defeat during the year.
The 57-year-old Tasmanian beat the British and Irish Lions' boss Warren Gatland and New Zealand's Steve Hansen to the prestigious award.
As well as winning the 2017 Six Nations Championship, Jones led a much-changed, Lions-less England squad on a two-Test series victory of Argentina in June and once again defeated the Pumas during the autumn internationals, which also included successes against Australia and Samoa.
Jones' record as England coach now reads 22 wins from 23 Tests.
All Blacks fly-half Beauden Barrett won the Men's Player of the Year category for the second year in a row, while his compatriot Portia Woodman won the Women's Player of the Year award for 2017 at the event on Sunday evening.
The Black Ferns 15s side won the plaudits in the World Rugby Team of the Year category, while the achievements of Joy Neville (Referee of the Year) and Rieko Ioane (Breakthrough Player of the Year) were also recognised.
The star performers in sevens rugby also picked up awards, with the USA's Perry Baker winning the men's award and the Black Ferns' Michaela Blyde earning the women's award.
Meanwhile, England centre Rachael Burford and All Blacks legend Richie McCaw won the Special Merit Award.
There was also an opportunity for rugby fans to have their say, with Joaquin Tuculet of Argentina coming out on top in the Try of the Year category after 14,000 people voted for his score in the Pumas' 38-34 defeat to England in June.
