Leinster’s Josh van der Flier, Jimmy O’Brien and Caelan Doris have been nominated for the EPCR’s European Player of the Year.
The trio are joined on the list by fellow Irishmen Michael Lowry of Ulster and Jack O’Donoghue of Munster on the 15-man shortlist.
Leinster are the only side to have three players shortlisted for the award, with Harlequins the only other side with multiple nominees in Alex Dombrandt and Marcus Smith.
Winger O’Brien has been rewarded for a breakthrough season at provincial level which saw him become the first Leinster player to score four tries in a European game against Bath.
Van der Flier has been on the scoresheet in all three of Leinster’s European games this season, including a brace in the record 89-7 win over Montpellier at the RDS last month.
And Doris has been key part of those three victories, both from the number eight position and blindside flanker.
The shortlist will be reduced before a winner is announced following the Rugby Champions Cup final in Marseille on Saturday, May 28.
2021 EPCR European Player of the Year long list
Grégory ALLDRITT (Stade Rochelais)
Alex DOMBRANDT (Harlequins)
Caelan DORIS (Leinster Rugby)
Antoine DUPONT (Stade Toulousain)
Gaël FICKOU (Racing 92)
George FORD (Leicester Tigers)
Michael LOWRY (Ulster Rugby)
Jimmy O’BRIEN (Leinster Rugby)
Jack O’DONOGHUE (Munster Rugby)
Damian PENAUD (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Semi RADRADRA (Bristol Bears)
Sam SIMMONDS (Exeter Chiefs)
Marcus SMITH (Harlequins)
Josh VAN DER FLIER (Leinster Rugby)
Cameron WOKI (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
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