Three forwards nominated on a shortlist rewarding the player of the year: that is worth pointing out. On Tuesday, World Rugby announced the nominees for this very fine award, covering the 2025 calendar year.

The list features prop Ox Nche, back-rower Pieter-Steph du Toit (already named world player of the year in 2019 and 2024) and hooker Malcolm Marx. Three world champion Springboks, joined by… a French phenomenon.

Wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey, extraordinary last season with 33 tries from 30 team sheets (across all competitions and with both UBB and France), is also nominated.

The helmeted rocket could therefore sweep up this award after already being crowned player of the last Six Nations as well as France’s best international last season. But up against these Springboks, the competition is fierce…