THE LEINSTER TRIO of Josh van der Flier, James Lowe, and Caelan Doris have been included on the shortlist for 2022 European player of the year.
La Rochelle’s Grégory Alldritt and Antoine Dupont of Toulouse have also been nominated.
The award will be decided by the combination of a fan vote and the opinions of an expert panel made up of ex-Ireland international Alan Quinlan, former Springboks wing Bryan Habana, ex-France scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili, Channel 4 presenter Lee McKenzie, and former France wing Erik Bonneval – all of whom work in sports media.
The winner will be announced following the Champions Cup final between Leinster and La Rochelle in Marseille on 28 May.
Openside flanker van der Flier, left wing Lowe, and back row powerhouse Doris have been crucial in Leinster’s progress into the decider.
Van der Flier is playing the best rugby of his career, Lowe has gone to a new level after some disappointment with Ireland last season, while 24-year-old Doris continues to grow as an all-action force.
Alldritt has been a key man in La Rochelle’s progress into the final, but Dupont’s Toulouse were knocked out by Leinster in the semi-finals last weekend.
Dupont won the award in 2021, while Sam Simmonds, Alex Goode, Leone Nakarawa, Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, and Nick Abendanon are also on the roll of honour since 2015.
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VDF way ahead in all departments. His work rate is unparalleled that I can see.
Dupont is a very talented player but if tide goes against him, he’s not to be seen.
@Noel Lynn: Totally agree. VDF is just a phenomenal player at this stage. Each week he blows my mind with another insane performance. Favourite player by a country mile too and that’s including all club and national teams.
@Noel Lynn: That’s just completely unfair on Dupont
Van Den Flier for me from what I’ve seen, I’ve not watched the La Rochelle games. Clearly I’m biased, O Mahony’s performances against Toulouse and Exeter were nothing short of immense, plus his leadership against Wasps was fantastic. But it’s highly unlikely they would shortlist someone knocked out before semi finals.
Dupont has enough accolades and tbh he’s off his best form in Europe (even if still turning it on in parts and in the Top14). For me it’s between VDF, Lowe and Aldritt. Lowe and Aldritt are dominating the player stats on EPRC but there’s more to being a top player than stats.
@SPQH: Off his game in Europe? Did you see him vs Cardiff in the Pools, or Ulster in the last 16, or Munster two weeks ago? Hes the best player in the world by some margin and has lived up to his billing in Europe. The rest of that Toulouse team let him down
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: came a distant second to JGP on Saturday
@Chris Mc: Any scrum half would against that Leinster machine. Toulouse werent at it. Cant blame Dupont for that
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: SPQH made a point that he was a little off his best, I just pointed out that he came second to JGP on Saturday
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: he’s a fantastic player, who’s off his game slightly…. Wow a 9 who’s not as good because his team has let him down? That’s every 9 going no? Get a dominant pack and ruck and the 9 is a superstar. He is a superstar but…. He’s not been as good as VDF, Lowe and Aldritt IMO….. just my humble opinion..
Josh van der flier … Best in the world and a true gent… . Great rugby player and gives back massively to his local town and wicklow rugby club..A superstar…
@Stuart Collins: and everybody in SA thinks he’s South african so will take that too… Ha
Seems to be about 3 of these votes every year! Lowe a shoe in for me, offers something nobody in competition can. VDF and Dupont also up there
It’s between VDF & Alldritt, with VDF a deserved winner.
I’m saying Doris. Far more consistent and always influences games.
@Nag Damnit: VDF more consistent but Doris pulls off some unreal breaks nobody else seems to do. Tough one. Lowe is just so good too.
@Nag Damnit: Dorris has been on fire for a long time. His intelligent lines of running in attack are brilliant and always looks to offload despite what train is coming.
All great but JvdF out shines them all
Time for an Irish winner. Just concerned with 3 Leinster players in the mix that their public vote might be split. Josh is the man for me. Especially if he scores another try in the final.
@Philip Thompson: I thought that exactly myself. I went with Josh too.
@Philip Thompson: and you’d expect the expert panels to plum for the lad the lad from their country IF it’s close. No matter how impartial they are it’s impossible to not prefer your horse, so with 2French men and 1 French based former player on the selection panel Alldrit could easily nip it if La Rochelle win. In any case Van Der Vlier and him are immense
VDF is the man!!!!
I’m going for Doris. Incredible work rate. Lowe defense still very suspect. VDF great consistency.