Marcus Smith, Antoine Dupont and five Irish players on European Player of the Year list

Early days yet, but a real boost to all five lads.

The EPCR has released the names of 15 nominees for early voting in the race for the European Player of the Year prize. With the pool stages of the Challenge and Champions Cup now complete, the tournament organisers asked their expert panel of pundits, scribes and former players to get back with the players that have most impressed them. There are five Irish players included in the long list of 15 initial nominees, along with the likes of Marcus Smith and Antoine Dupont.

Five Irish players nominated for European Player of the Year

The knock-out stages of the Champions and Challenge Cups will commence in April with Last 16 fixtures taking place over two legs. We will then have quarter and semi-finals before the final, which will be held in Marseilles in late May. One suspects that players that step up and perform well in the knock-outs can yet force themselves into this 'Best Player' shortlist. As it stands, here are the five Irish players currently in contention for the accolade:

• Mike Lowry (Ulster)
• Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster)
• Caelan Doris (Leinster)
• Jack O'Donoghue (Munster)
• Josh van der Flier (Leinster)

https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/1488497888313421831 If you compelled to get voting for the European Player of the Year, four months before the season is over, get cracking. For now, we reckon we will hold off on voting and just enjoy a cracking few months of club rugby ahead. The future is, as yet, unwritten...

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