The World Rugby Awards are given out annually by World Rugby (until November 2014, known as the International Rugby Board), the worldwide governing body for rugby union, for major achievements in the sport. The idea of rewarding excellence in rugby was disclosed in 2001 following the Annual Meeting of the International Rugby Board Council in Copenhagen, and the first ceremony was first awarded later that year. The International Rugby Players' Association also gives out awards, for Try of the Year (since 2007), and Special Merit, as a part of the programme. As of 2021, they now present Women's Try of the Year. In 2020, World Rugby decided to "look back on a decade of international rugby" instead of presenting the usual awards. Six of the categories were decided by fan votes and two by a selected panel. The 'Special Edition Awards' focused on "...members of the rugby family who had showcased solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting their communities and getting involved in relief efforts." World Rugby reintroduced the normal awards in 2021 with a few new additions. Unlike previous years where a majority of the awards were selected by an independent panel, half of the categories will now be selected by public voting.

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Note: Some of the awards for this year were presented before 19 November, when the International Rugby Board changed its name to the current World Rugby.

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Fan Awards World Rugby Awards Panel Choice Celebrating Rugby's Heroes of COVID-19 Due to the effects of COVID-19, members of the rugby family did all they could to help.

2021

Dream Team

2022

Dream Team

2023

Dream Team

2024

Dream Teams

XVs

Sevens