The Investec Champions Cup player of the year award has officially unveiled its shortlist which comprises three outstanding English players: Courtney Lawes, Fin Smith, and Marcus Smith. This esteemed accolade serves to recognise the most exceptional contributors to European club rugby.
In addition to the English contingent, Leinster dominates the shortlist with four nominations, including Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe, and Dan Sheehan. Furthermore, Toulouse’s France scrum-half Antoine Dupont, the recipient of the award in 2021, completes the group of eight highly esteemed nominees.
The distinguished recipient of the award will be disclosed subsequent to the Champions Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 25 May. The most recent English player to clinch this prestigious honour was Sam Simmonds in 2020, during his tenure with the Exeter Chiefs.
The shortlist was determined through a combination of a public vote and the discernment of a panel of judges. It is noteworthy to mention that Gregory Alldritt, La Rochelle’s number eight and the prior season’s award recipient, suffered defeat in the quarter-finals at the hands of Leinster. The Irish province is poised to confront Northampton Saints at Croke Park in the semi-finals, while Toulouse will play host to Harlequins, who secured a captivating triumph over Bordeaux-Begles in their quarter-final matchup, on 5 May.
The Investec Champions Cup player of the year award serves as a prestigious acknowledgement of outstanding contributions to European club rugby. The shortlist, which encompasses top talents from various parts of the continent, underscores the exceptional quality of athletes competing at this elite level.
With the forthcoming final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, enthusiasts of rugby globally await with bated breath for the proclamation of the 2022 recipient of the Investec Champions Cup player of the year award. This awaited declaration stands as a testament to the exceptional skill and sportsmanship demonstrated by the nominees, and serves as an endorsement of their unwavering commitment to the sport.
The Investec Champions Cup player of the year award holds substantial prestige within the rugby community, and the impending announcement will undoubtedly mark a momentous occasion for the recipient. As the stage is set for the final, all eyes are fixed upon the standout performances and noteworthy accomplishments that will ultimately determine this year’s deserving victor.