The Ireland international is the leading try scorer in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup heading into Saturday’s final against Stade Rochelais in Dublin, dotting down six times in six games, including a brace at Racing 92 in Round 1.

Van der Flier was as busy as ever in Leinster’s semi-final victory over Stade Toulousain, completing a staggering 22 tackles – at least six more than any other player in the game – as well as crossing in the second half.

He became the third Leinster player to be crowned EPCR Player of the Year following last season’s Heineken Champions Cup final, after Sean O’Brien (2011) and Rob Kearney (2012).

Voting for one of the most coveted individual awards in world rugby has now reopened on epcrugby.com/epoty and the winner and recipient of the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy will be announced following the Heineken Champions Cup final.

2023 EPCR Player of the Year shortlist 
Grégory ALLDRITT (Stade Rochelais)
Caelan DORIS (Leinster Rugby)
Antoine DUPONT (Stade Toulousain)
Garry RINGROSE (Leinster Rugby)
Josh VAN DER FLIER (Leinster Rugby)

Judging Panel – Bryan Habana (two-time Heineken Champions Cup winner), Sarah Hunter (former England captain), Elma Smit (sports presenter and producer), Andy Goode (two-time Heineken Cup winner), Dimitri Yachvili (France Télévisions and Challenge Cup winner)

Roll of Honour
2022: Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby)
2021: Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain)
2020: Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
2019: Alex Goode (Saracens)
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 club rugby)

Leinster Rugby flanker Josh van der Flier could retain the EPCR Player of the Year award after another sensational campaign saw him included on the five-man shortlist for the 2023 prize.