LEINSTER MAY HAVE been knocked out of the Champions Cup last Sunday but there was a small bit of solace for their captain as Jamie Heaslip has been named on the five-man shortlist for European Player of the Year.

Last year’s winner, Steffon Armitage, was also named along with Saracens back row Billy Vunipola and Clermont duo Fritz Lee and Nick Abendanon.

The award was first given in 2011 and it was won by Leinster flanker Sean O’Brien. Rob Kearney and Jonny Wilkinson picked up the trophy in 2012 and 2013 respectively, so only Leinster and Toulon players have won the award.

The judging panel was made up of Emmanuel Massicard (Editor, Midi Olympique), Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports/The Sunday Times), Alan Quinlan (Sky Sports/The Irish Times), Mick Cleary (Rugby Correspondent, The Daily Telegraph) and Dimitri Yachvili (beIN Sports).

Who do you think deserves the honour this year?

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