GARRY RINGROSE AND CJ Stander are among the final five nominees in the running for the 2017 EPCR European Player of the Year.
The original shortlist of 15 has been reduced following the weekend’s Champions Cup semi-finals with Ireland internationals Ringrose and Stander joined by Saracens pair Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje and Clermont out-half Camille Lopez.
Both Farrell and Itoje played key roles as Saracens stormed to victory in their last four clash with Munster at the weekend while Lopez landed two stunning drop goals in Clermont’s win over Leinster yesterday.
Ringrose’s superb individual effort in Lyon is up for the EPCR’s Try of the Weekend and that moment of brilliance raises further questions over Warren Gatland’s decision to leave him out of the Lions squad.
The Leinster centre featured in all eight of the province’s Champions Cup games this term, making 78 carries and scoring three tries.
The European Player of the Year award was first introduced in 2010 with Ronan O’Gara, Sean O’Brien and Rob Kearney the three previous Irish players to win the accolade.
Itoje is looking to become the first player to win the award in successive years with the winner to be announced following the Champions Cup final at Murrayfield on 13 May.
You can vote for your winner here.
Poll Results:
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