European award for Nick Abendanon leaves England with World Cup dilemma

Nick Abendanon, the Clermont Auvergne full back, was today named the European
player of the year.

His endorsement as the best player in the continent’s
top rugby union competition comes exactly a year after Steffon Armitage won
the same award last year.

They are linked also, of course, by the fact that
they are both unlikely to play for England during the World Cup.



Abendanon’s award is unlikely to sway Stuart Lancaster, the England head
coach, who is under huge pressure to make the right call on Abendanon and
Armitage.

However, it does make the 45-year-old’s decision even mor…