World’s best.

After last weekend’s victory for Ireland over the All Blacks, the balance of power may not only have shifted between the two best teams in the world, but the two best tens in the world too.

The game saw World Player of the Year nominees Johnny Sexton and Beauden Barrett go head-to-head, and it’s pretty safe to say – the Irishman came out on top.

Barrett has won the prestigious award for the last two years running, but Sexton might just edge him this year, and was the bookies’ favourite even before Saturday’s 16-9 win for Ireland.

In the last 12 months or so Sexton has led Leinster to a Champions Cup and PRO14 double, but his international record is even more impressive – and that’s where it counts for this award.

Sexton has 13 wins and a draw from his last 14 Test starts, including two victories over the All Blacks. He also of course won a Six Nations Grand Slam with Ireland as a result of this, and helped lead them to a series victory over the Wallabies in Australia.

Beauden Barrett is one a hell of a player. But this is Sexton’s year.