Rugby Union: Saracens duo Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year award

Sarries pair on five-man shortlist for top prize

Saracens fly half Owen Farrell has been named on the World Rugby Player of the Year award (pic: Mark Kerton/PA) - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

Saracens duo Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell have been nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year award.

The pair have been named on the five-man shortlist, along with Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett (both New Zealand) and Israel Folau (Australia).

Farrell and Itoje have enjoyed fine years for both club and country, helping England defend their Six Nations crown, as well as winning a second successive European Champions Cup title with Sarries.

The duo also played a key part in the British & Irish Lions drawn series against the All Blacks in the summer.

Voting for the award is open until midnight on Sunday, with the ceremony due to take place the on November 26 in Monaco.

Six of the last seven winners have come from New Zealand, with France’s Thierry Dusatoir the only exception in 2011.

The only previous English winner of the award, which was first given in 2001, was Jonny Wilkinson in 2003.