1. Johnny Sexton – 1/8
At 33, Irishman Sexton is the oldest of the five nominees, but age has been just a number to him this year as he bids to become the first man from the Emerald Isle to win the accolade since the legendary Keith Wood in 2001.
After kicking a last-minute drop-goal to beat France in Paris in the Six Nations – which Ireland went on to win – to inspiring his club Leinster to a Champions Cup and Pro 14 double, if anyone is going to beat Barrett, it’s Sexton.
After initially opening at a very inviting price of 7/4, his early backers must now be feeling pretty smug as the fly-half – who has nine wins in nine test starts and 99 points to his name this year – moved into odds-on favourite after helping Ireland to only their second ever victory over the All Blacks.