Champions Cup Player of the Year shortlist confirmed
NEWS: Leinster, who take on arch-rivals Stade Rochelais in the showpiece Champions Cup decider in Dublin in less than three weeks’ time, have the lion’s share of the prestigious shortlist for the 2023 Player of the Year award.
Three of the Irish province’s leading players are contenders for the prized accolade which is now in its 14th year. The 2022 winner, Josh van der Flier, has again made the elite five-man shortlist following another series of outstanding performances in this season’s tournament, and he is joined by fellow back row, Caelan Doris, as well as in-form centre, Garry Ringrose.
The Leinster trio have the dynamic Grégory Alldritt for company, and the Stade Rochelais captain, who is set to lead his side at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, May 20, has been nominated among the final five for the third year in a row.
Despite the disappointment of his club’s Champions Cup exit last weekend, no current list of world-class players is complete without the brilliant Antoine Dupont, and the Stade Toulousain captain and 2021 winner is included once again.
The initial 15 nominees have been trimmed to five based on the combined verdict of a renowned panel of judges along with almost 20 000 participants in the public vote.
Voting for one of the most coveted individual awards in world rugby has now reopened and the winner and recipient of the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy will be announced following the Champions Cup final.
2023 EPCR Player of the Year shortlist
Grégory ALLDRITT (Stade Rochelais)
Caelan DORIS (Leinster Rugby)
Antoine DUPONT (Stade Toulousain)
Garry RINGROSE (Leinster Rugby)
Josh VAN DER FLIER (Leinster Rugby)
Judging Panel - Bryan Habana (two-time Champions Cup winner), Sarah Hunter (former England captain), Elma Smit (sports presenter and producer), Andy Goode (two-time Champions Cup winner), Dimitri Yachvili (France Télévisions and Challenge Cup winner)
Roll of Honour
2022: Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
2021: Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain)
2020: Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
2019: Alex Goode (Saracens)
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)