EPCR announce five-man shortlist for European Player of the Year

Champions Cup tournament organisers EPCR have named a five-man short-list for 2018 European Player of the Year ahead of the final in Bilbao on May 12.

Three-time winners Leinster Rugby have three nominees for the prestigious Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy as Jonathan Sexton, Scott Fardy and Tadhg Furlong are among the front-runners after leading the Irish province to an unbeaten run to the final.

Finalists Racing 92 have two players on the list after the panel of rugby experts added club captain Maxime Machenaud & Fijian 7s star Leone Nakarawa to the contenders following impressive displays in Racing 92’s quarter-final and semi-final victories.

Shortlist for EPCR European Player of the Year 2018 

Scott Fardy (Leinster)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92)
Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92)
Johnny Sexton (Leinster)

2017/18 panel of judges: Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports/The Sunday Times), Chris Jones (BBC Radio 5 Live), Matthieu Lartot (France Télévisions), Emmanuel Massicard (Midi Olympique), Brian O’Driscoll (BT Sport), Dimitri Yachvili (beIN SPORTS).

Roll of Honour

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; European Player Award 1995-2010)