Nine players who make their living in France are on the list
After what is best described as a mixed first half of the season for the Irish provinces in European competitions, two Irish players have made the long list for the EPCR European Player of the Year award, announced today.
Leinster duo of Ian Madigan and Jamie Heaslip are the two who make the cut, and they are joined on the list by nine players from French clubs while English-based players make up the rest of the 15 named today.
Steffon Armitage of Toulon, who won the award last year, is named again. Chris Ashton, George North, Billy Vunipola and Jonathan Joseph are the four Aviva Premiership representatives and while no Welsh based player is listed, Jamie Roberts of Racing Metro joins his compatriot North in the 15.
A five-man shortlist, which may include players who are not on this list but who the judging panel feel have been exceptional in the knockout stages, will be announced after the European Champions and Challenge Cup semi-finals.
EPCR European Player of the Year 2015 longlist
Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon)
Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Jamie Heaslip (Leinster Rugby)
Juan Imhoff (Racing Metro 92)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Fritz Lee (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Camille Lopez (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Ian Madigan (Leinster Rugby)
George North (Northampton Saints)
Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro 92)
Aurélien Rougerie (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Nicolas Sanchez (RC Toulon)
Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing Metro 92)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
