Saracens prop Mako Vunipola has been nominated for the 2019 EPCR European Player of the Year award, having already won two Heineken Man of the Match awards for his performances in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup pool stage. The explosive 28-year-old was outstanding in Saracens’ victories over Cardiff Blues and Lyon in Rounds 3 and 5, helping the two-time champions into the quarter-final stage for the eighth consecutive season. He is expected to miss Saracens’ home Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors on March 30, but could return for the latter stages, should the English side progress. Every knockout stage match will be live on BT Sport and beIN SPORTS. To vote for Vunipola as your EPCR European Player of the Year or to view all 15 nominees, click HERE and be in the running to win two VIP tickets to the Heineken Champions Cup final in Newcastle next May, one night’s accommodation courtesy of EPCR and a signed jersey of one of the Heineken Champions Cup final clubs. https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/1093419212574547969 The 15 nominees will be reduced to five in April, following the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals, by a combination of the public vote and the verdict of the judges. Players who have not been included in the initial list, but who make a significant impact in a quarter-final or semi-final can be considered for the shortlist. The voting will then be reopened and the winner of the 2019 award will be announced following the Heineken Champions Cup final at St James’ Park on Saturday, May 11. The winner of one of the most prized individual accolades in the world game will receive a specially struck gold medal as well as the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy. The judging panel includes a wealth of International rugby talent – such as Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll (BT Sport), ex-South Africa wing Bryan Habana (Channel 4) and former France scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili (beIN SPORTS).