Ulster Rugby v La Rochelle

EPCR European Player of the Year 2017 presented by Turkish Airlines - winner Owen Farrell

As Saracens celebrated their back-to-back Champions Cup trophies in Edinburgh last May, one of their many leaders in the success over ASM Clermont Auvergne was named EPCR European Player of the Year – presented by Turkish Airlines. Owen Farrell was honoured as one of the key men to make it happen as his club retained the trophy widely recognised as ‘the one to win’. Farrell stepped into the footsteps of team-mate Maro Itoje in netting a million miles from tournament partners Turkish Airlines as a result of being named Europe’s best as well as bagging the inaugural Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy. The Sarries duo joined Nick Abendanon, Steffon Armitage, Jonny Wilkinson, Rob Kearney, Sean O’Brien and Ronan O’Gara on the roll of honour for the prestigious accolade.

“Of course, it’s incredible,” said O’Gara as he reflected on his award, given in recognition of his outstanding career in the European Cup. “It’s only when you retire that you appreciate it, because you’re in a bubble when you are performing and chasing the next victory. It’s special because of the teammates I played with, because rugby is the ultimate team sport and that’s the beauty of it.” This season’s list of nominees will be announced soon after the conclusion of the pool stage as twenty clubs on the Road to Bilbao are narrowed down to just eight. The winner will be announced on Finals weekend again with the public vote through ChampionsCupRugby.com merged with the opinions of a panel of six distinguished rugby experts to determine the outcome. 2017/18 panel: Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports/The Sunday Times), Chris Jones (BBC Five Live), Matthieu Lartot (France Televisions), Emmanuel Massicard (Midi Olympique), Brian O’Driscoll (BT Sport), Dimitri Yachvili (beIN Sports).

SAN MAMES STADIUM - FRIDAY 11TH & SATURDAY 12TH MAY 2018