This year's World Rugby Awards will focus on the stars of the past decade ©Getty Images

This year's World Rugby Awards will focus on the stars of the past decade and players who have provided a service to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the global health crisis limiting competitive match activity this year, the Awards will be hosted virtually across World Rugby’s digital and social platforms on December 7 and will not feature the usual celebration of on-field achievements.

Instead, the event will focus on players who supported their communities and got involved in relief efforts during the pandemic. 

It will also look back on a decade of international rugby and will feature eight new categories for teams and individuals. 

The men and women's 15s player of the decade and try of the decade, and the men and women's sevens player of the decade, will be voted on by the public. 

The remaining two categories - men and women's dream team of the decade - will be voted by the World Rugby Awards panel. 

This year's World Rugby Awards will not feature the usual celebration of on-field achievements ©Twitter
This year's World Rugby Awards will not feature the usual celebration of on-field achievements ©Twitter

"We are excited to host our World Rugby Awards in an innovative format this year to acknowledge the exceptional circumstances our sport has gone through in recent months," said World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont.

"The World Rugby Awards special edition will embody the core rugby value of solidarity and I am extremely proud to use this platform to recognise efforts made by members of our global rugby family to fight the pandemic.

"It will also be a night of celebration with accolades for teams and individuals that have showcased tremendous talent on the field of play over the last decade. 

"I am looking forward to seeing who rugby fans around the world will decide to honour."

Former England international and World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Maggie Alphonsi will co-host the World Rugby Awards ©Getty Images
Former England international and World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Maggie Alphonsi will co-host the World Rugby Awards ©Getty Images

The event will be co-hosted by former England international and World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Maggie Alphonsi and rugby presenter Alex Payne.

It will be made available for free to rugby fans globally.

"As our sport carefully begins to restart around the world, it is important to keep celebrating what makes rugby so special: its values, communities and best performers," Alphonsi said. 

"I am truly honoured to co-host the show with Alex, and I look forward to unveiling the winners to rugby fans from around the world in December."

The list of nominees and details of the online vote will be unveiled in the near future.