The envelopes have been sealed shut and excitement is building in Hollywood which can mean only one thing – it’s time for the Oscars!
The stars of the big screen are set to strut the red carpet on Sunday night, meaning Brad Pitt and Co best remember to set Match of the Day 2 to record.
Here, to celebrate the arrival of awards season, RUCKl delivers its alternative take on the annual ceremony. And if you’re one of our winners, don’t forget to thank your mum, your dad or if you play for Ireland, Joe Schmidt.
BEST LEADING ACTOR: Beauden Barrett, New Zealand
Barrett became only the second player to win the prestigious world players of the year award two years in a row, matching the achievement of his former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw. Once labelled a one-season wonder, he has now established himself as a world-class operator.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Conor Murray, Ireland
The Ireland and Munster scrum-half has been one of the stand-out stars of the last 12 months in an Irish side that are now favourites to win the 2018 Six Nations. For the British & Irish Lions he was, despite not being the main man, consistently brilliant and you'd have to label him as the best tempo setter in world rugby.
BEST DIRECTOR: Dean Richards, Newcastle Falcons
We've gone off the cuff with this award winner. It would have been easy to give this award to Warren Gatland but Richards, on a shoestring, has turned the North East club from annual strugglers to playoff contenders. Although his reputation may never recover from 'bloodgate', for his achievements on the field we simply couldn't ignore him.
BEST SCORE: Sean O'Brien (British & Irish Lions vs New Zealand)
It was one of the moments of the sporting summer - a score which made the world take notice and let the supposedly invincible All Blacks know they were in a real fight. The ball is kicked deep to fullback Liam Williams. The Welshman sells Kieran Read and ghosts infield, before straightening up and leaving Sonny Bill Williams on the deck with twisted blood. The rest is history...
BEST NEWCOMER: Rieko Ioane, New Zealand
Ioane has been a revelation to the All Blacks this year. or someone so young he has demonstrated a calm head and huge degree of maturity in his game, which has gone from strength to strength. He's been a try-scoring machine, dotting down 10 times this year in 11 tests. This was an easy decision.
BEST PICTURE: British & Irish Lions beat New Zealand 24-21 to set up series decider
The Lions pulled off one of their great wins to steal a thriller against New Zealand and set up a series decider in Auckland in a week's time. When Sonny Bill Williams was red-carded for a shoulder charge on Anthony Watson - the first All Blacks sending-off in 50 years - the Lions sensed a wonderful opportunity for a historic upset in Wellington, and they succeeded.
