Three nominees for top player award

The award represents a significant step forward for the women's game. Previous "player of the year" awards made by the World Rugby's predecessor, the IRB, tended to be effectively "player of the tournament" awards based on World Cups or sevens series. In between major tournaments, the IRB tended to make "personality of the year" awards that were open to administrators as well as players, and often recognised contributions in rugby careers rather than just performances in the previous 12 months.

Now for the first time World Rugby, with its first series of awards since it was formed at the end of last year, is recognising the women's game with an award that takes into account performances in test rugby around the world.The timing further underlined this with the nominees being announced one year on from the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final in Paris - highlighting that it is only onfield performances since Paris that have mattered.

The panel selecting the shortlist is made up of former players Sue Day (England), Melodie Robinson (New Zealand) and Fiona Coghlan (Ireland) as well asThe Sunday Timesrugby correspondent Stephen Jones and World Rugby Council member John Jeffrey, andafter the annoucement today Bernard Lapasset said: “On behalf of World Rugby, I wish to extend my congratulations to Gaëlle, Kendra and Sophie for securing their Player of the Year nomination, and for their skill, power, discipline and consistency required to excel at the highest level.Women’s rugby is one of the fastest growing team sports in the world, and we’re focused on building on the incredible success of last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in Paris which engaged fans like never before.”

The selection panel summarised the reasons for their choices with the following pen portraits of the nominees:

Kendra Cocksedge (New Zealand)

An influential member of the Black Ferns side, both for her prowess as a goal-kicker and the way she unleashes the talented New Zealand backline. She made her test debut aged 19 and this Women’s Rugby World Cup winner is now firmly established in the national team. The 27-year-old was an integral part of New Zealand’s success at the Women’s Rugby Super Series, producing a kicking masterclass as her side beat world champions England along with USA and their hosts Canada to claim the inaugural title.

Gaëlle Mignot (France)

Her passion and commitment to the cause is clear for all to see each time she takes to the pitch as she leads Les Bleuets by example and inspires those around her. She took over the captaincy in early 2014 and led her country to the Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam and the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals on home soil. A hooker with a real eye for the try-line, Mignot has continued that good form into 2015, crossing for tries in the wins over Wales and England, as France missed out on a second title in a row only on points difference to Ireland.

Sophie Spence (Ireland)

Spence cuts an imposing figure in the second-row and started all five matches as Ireland claimed a second Women’s Six Nations title in three years following four victories in 2015. The 28-year-old was discovered by former Ireland coach Phillip Doyle playing in England and made her test debut in the 2012 Six Nations. She has since developed from a raw talent into a key figure in the Ireland team and has been described as “a player with genuine explosive power, a good ball carrier and defender.”

The winner of the award will be announced at the World Rugby Awards cememony, which will take place at Battersea Evolution in London the day after the men's Rugby World Cup 2015 final.

Previous women's award winners

2014: Player of the Year 2014: Magali Harvey (Canada); Sevens Player of the Year: Emilee Cherry (Australia)

2013: Sevens Player of the Year: Kayla McAlister (New Zealand)

2012: Player of the Year: Michaela Staniford (England)

2011: Personality of the Year: Ruth Mitchell (Hong Kong)

2010: Personality of the Year: Carla Hohepa (New Zealand)

2009: Personality of the Year: Debby Hodgkinson (Australia)

2008: Personality of the Year: Carol Isherwood (England)

2007: Personality of the Year: Sarah Corrigan (Australia)

2006: Personality of the Year: Margaret Alphonsi (England)

2005: Personality of the Year: Farah Palmer (New Zealand)

2004: Personality of the Year: Donna Kennedy (Scotland)

2003: Personality of the Year: Kathy Flores (United States)

2002: Player of the Year: Monique Hirovanaa (New Zealand)

2001: Player of the Year: Shelley Rae (England)