Stockdale nominated for European Player of the Year award

Jacob Stockdale is among 15 nominees for the prestigious 2019 EPCR European Player of the Year award. Stockdale lead the Heineken Cup scoring charts along with Leinster hooker Sean Cronin after scoring six tries in the six pool games. Last season’s winner, Leone Nakarawa, who played a key role in Racing 92’s qualification for the quarter-finals, is nominated once again along with his teammates, Finn Russell and Simon Zebo, while number 1 ranked, Saracens, have two representatives in Alex Goode and Mako Vunipola following their 100% record in yet another impressive pool stage performance. Toulouse, who face Racing 92 in an intriguing all-French quarter-final at the end of March, have Antoine Dupont and the livewire, Cheslin Kolbe, in the list, and not surprisingly, Edinburgh Rugby’s, Viliame Mata, is included on the back of several outstanding displays during the pool stage. Cronin, Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose are nominated from Heineken Champions Cup holders, Leinster Rugby, while Munster Rugby are able to match Leinster’s representation with Tadhg Beirne, Joey Carbery and club captain, Peter O’Mahony, featuring in the star-studded longlist. The winner of one of the most prized individual accolades in the world game will receive a specially struck gold medal as well as the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy. Voting for the award is now open HERE and fans will be in the running to win two VIP tickets to the Heineken Champions Cup final in Newcastle next May with one night’s accommodation courtesy of EPCR, and a signed jersey of one of the Heineken Champions Cup finalist clubs. The list will be reduced to five players in April following the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals by a combination of the public vote and the verdict of the judges, and players who have not been included in initial list of 15, but who make a significant impact in a quarter-final or semi-final match, may be considered for the shortlist. The voting will then re-open and the winner of the 2019 award will be announced following the Heineken Champions Cup final at St James’ Park on Saturday 11th May. EPCR European Player of the Year award 2019 nominees: Tadhg BEIRNE (Munster Rugby) Joey CARBERY (Munster Rugby) Sean CRONIN (Leinster Rugby) Antoine DUPONT (Toulouse) Tadhg FURLONG (Leinster Rugby) Alex GOODE (Saracens) Cheslin KOLBE (Toulouse) Viliame MATA (Edinburgh Rugby) Leone NAKARAWA (Racing 92) Peter O’MAHONY (Munster Rugby) Garry RINGROSE (Leinster Rugby) Finn RUSSELL (Racing 92) Jacob STOCKDALE (Ulster Rugby) Mako VUNIPOLA (Saracens) Simon ZEBO (Racing 92) Judging Panel – Bryan Habana (Channel 4), Chris Jones (BBC Radio 5 Live), Matthieu Lartot (France Télévisions), Emmanuel Massicard (Midi Olympique), Brian O’Driscoll (BT Sport), Dimitri Yachvili (beIN Sports). Roll of Honour – 2018: Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92); 2017: Owen Farrell (Saracens); 2016: Maro Itoje (Saracens); 2015: Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne); 2014: Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon); 2013: Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon); 2012: Rob Kearney (Leinster Rugby); 2011: Sean O'Brien (Leinster Rugby); 2010: Ronan O'Gara (Munster Rugby – best player of first 15 years of European professional club competitions)