World Rugby today confirmed the three nominees for the inaugural Breakthrough Player of the Year award this afternoon, featuring two northern hemisphere players.
New Zealand wing Nehe Milner-Skudder, Scotland centre Mark Bennett and Georgia Vasil Lobzhanidze are the three nominees.
Milner-Skudder has been one of New Zealand's many shining lights throughout the campaign and with five tries to his name is likely to be one of the front runners for the award which will be presented at the World Rugby Awards dinner in London on 1 November.
New Zealand's Nehe Milner-Skudder scores a try despite the tackle from Namibia's Conrad Marais during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between New Zealand and Namibia. Image: Christophe Ena / AP/Press Association Images
The 24-year-old is the only payer of the trio who will be in action this weekend, when the All Blacks face Australia in the World Cup final.
Glasgow midfielder Bennett isn't far behind and showed pace and power for the Scots in their run to the World Cup quarter-finals. The 22-year-old picked up three tries in four games to earn his spot.
Bennett celebrates scoring a try during the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match against Australia. Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP/Press Association Images
Georgian scrum-half Lobzhanidze made four appearances for his country in the pool stages and featured in Gerogia's U20 World Cup winning side earlier this year.
Lobzhanidze during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match against Argentina. Image: Rui Vieira / AP/Press Association Images
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