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Ireland and Leinster playmaker Johnny Sexton has been named the 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year for the first time in his career after a stellar season with both club and country.

Sexton was the overwhelming favourite to scoop the award and has beaten off stiff competition from two-time winner Beauden Barrett and Springbok duo Faf de Klerk and Malcolm Marx.

The outhalf becomes just the second Irishman to win the award after former Munster hooker Keith Wood scooped the inaugural player of the year award back in 2002.

Sexton has helped both Ireland and the British & Irish Lions defeat world champions the All Blacks in the last 12 months or so, and won a Six Nations Grand Slam, as well as a domestic and European double with Leinster. He also played a huge role in Ireland’s historic series win against Australia over the summer.

Ireland were earlier named World Rugby Team of the Year with Schmidt being named coach of the year ensuring an historic treble success of awards for the men in green.