All Blacks captain and vice captain Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have been shortlisted for the IRB Player of the Year Award.
The England first five Owen Farrell and France first five Frédéric Michalak are the other two named.
McCaw is the only player to receive the individual accolade more than once, having won it in 2006, 2009 and 2010, although Carter could join him as a multiple winner, having been named Player of the Year back in 2005.
The winner of the Award will be announced at the Rugby World Cup 2015 pool allocation draw in London next week, along with the IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year Awards.
