Is Carter Europe's best?

Fifteen players are on the shortlist for the award which is given out by the organisers of the European Rugby Challenge Cup, the ECPR.

France captain France Guilhem Guirado of Toulon would be a key rival for the award to be announced May 13.

Shortlist: Dan Carter (Racing 92), Guilhen Guirado (Toulon), Nick Abendanon (Clermont) Steffon Armitage (Toulon), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Vereniki Goneva (Leicester), Juan Imhoff (Racing 92), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), George North (Northampton), Charles Piutau (Wasps), George Smith (Wasps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens) et Thomas Waldrom (Exeter).

Agence France-Presse