Final five revealed for European Player of the Year
NEWS: Players from Leinster and Saracens dominate the shortlist for the prestigious EPCR European Player of the Year award.
Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose are aiming to emulate the achievements of Leinster teammates Sean O’Brien and Rob Kearney who won the prized individual accolade in 2011 and 2012, while Saracens’ Alex Goode and Mako Vunipola are looking to follow in the footsteps of Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell, winners in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
The 15 initial nominees from the pool stage have been reduced to five based on the combined verdict of a distinguished panel of rugby experts and a public vote.
Voting has now reopened on epcrugby.com/epoty and the winner and recipient of the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy will be announced following the Champions Cup Final at St James’ Park on Saturday, May 11.
EPCR European Player of the Year 2019 shortlist:
Sean Cronin (Leinster)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
2018/19 panel of judges: Bryan Habana, Chris Jones, Mathieu Lartot, Emmanuel Massicard, Brian O’Driscoll, Dimitri Yachvili.
Roll of Honour:
2018 Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92)
2017 Owen Farrell (Saracens)
2016 Maro Itoje (Saracens)
2015 Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
2014 Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon)
2013 Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon)
2012 Rob Kearney (Leinster)
2011 Sean O’Brien (Leinster)
2010 Ronan O’Gara (Munster – best player of first 15 years of European club rugby)
