Leigh Halfpenny nominated for international player of year award

Leigh Halfpenny of Wales is the only British player to be nominated for the International Rugby Board's player of the year award.

The Cardiff Blues full-back was voted Player of the Six Nations this year and also named man of the series for his part in the British and Irish Lions' 2-1 series win in Australia.

Halfpenny, 24, set a new Lions record of 49 points in the three Tests.

Earlier in 2013, his 74 points helped Wales retain their Six Nations title.

His 21 points in the deciding 41-16 third Test win over Australia in Sydney was an individual record for the Lions, and helped him overhaul the series record previously held by his kicking coach Neil Jenkins, set in South Africa in 1997.

Kieran Read and Ben Smith, part of the New Zealand side who have won all their Tests to date in 2013, are among the other players nominated for the award, won last year by All Black Dan Carter.

Nominees: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales and British and Irish Lions), Sergio Parisse (Italy), Kieran Read (New Zealand) and Ben Smith (New Zealand).