Tokyo (AFP)
Chesslin Kolbe, winger of Stade Toulousain and South Africa, and Pauline Bourdon, scrum half of women's XV of France, are among the nominated Friday by World Rugby for the prize of best player and player of the year 2019.
Kolbe could conclude his fabulous year 2019, marked by a title of champion of France in June, by a world title with the Springboks Saturday in Yokohama (suburb of Tokyo) against the England of Tom Curry.
The third row is also among the nominated, unlike his teammates Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje, champions of England and Europe with the Saracens, or South African scrumhalf Faf De Klerk, one of the best players at this World Cup.
The other selected players, to succeed the Irishman Jonathan Sexton, by a panel of former internationals (including McCaw, Gregan, Galthie), are the third line of the Springboks Pieter Steph du Toit, the Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones, the third New Zealand line Ardie Savea and American hooker Joe Taufete'e.
Bourdon, who will try to succeed his compatriot Jessy Trémoulière, will face the competition of the English Sarah Bern, Katy Daley-McLean and Emily Scarratt, who achieved the Grand Slam in the Tournament of six nations, and that of the Neo Zealand's Kendra Cocksedge.
The names of the winners will be announced Sunday in Tokyo at the annual World Rugby trophy ceremony.
© 2019 AFP