(Reuters) – Leinster trio Josh van der Flier, James Lowe and Caelan Doris have made the five-man shortlist for the European Rugby Player of the Year award, governing body ECPR said on Tuesday.
Back row pair Doris and Van der Flier as well as left wing Lowe played crucial roles in four-time Champions Cup winners Leinster’s progress to this year’s final.
La Rochelle, who will play Leinster in next weekend’s showpiece in Marseille, were represented by captain Gregory Alldritt who made a try-scoring contribution in Sunday’s narrow semi-final win over Racing 92.
Last year’s winner Antoine Dupont, who plays for Toulouse, rounded off the shortlist, having guided France to their first Grand Slam and Six Nations title since 2010 in March.
The winner of the award — the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy — will be announced following the Champions Cup final at the Stade Velodrome on 28 May.
Shortlist
Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle)
Caelan Doris (Leinster)
Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)
James Lowe (Leinster)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
(Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Bengaluru)
