The powerful French international has been a vital cog in the French side’s dynamic attack this season, picking up four Heineken Star of the Match awards – against Saracens, Ospreys and Munster Rugby in Rounds 1, 3 and 5 respectively, and then in the semi-final against Saracens.

It was the New Zealand-born 28-year-old who latched on to Finn Russell’s delicate chip near halfway in the dying stages and set up Juan Imhoff for Racing’s match-clinching try.

Vakatawa also leads the way in the competition for defenders beaten (48) - a staggering 19 more than any other player – and clean breaks (16), as well as featuring in the top 10 for tries (4), carries (82) and metres gained (488).

Voting 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 in Bristol on Saturday 17 October.

EPCR European Player of the Year shortlist

STUART HOGG (Exeter Chiefs)

SEMI RADRADRA (Bristol Bears / Bordeaux-Bègles)

FINN RUSSELL (Racing 92)

SAM SIMMONDS (Exeter Chiefs)

VIRIMI VAKATAWA (Racing 92)

Judging panel

Erik Bonneval (beIN SPORTS), Bryan Habana (Channel 4), Emmanuel Massicard (Midi Olympique), Sonja McLaughlan (BBC Radio 5 Live), Brian O’Driscoll (BT Sport), Alan Quinlan (Virgin Media), Dimitri Yachvili (France Télévisions).

Roll of Honour
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)

Centre Virimi Vakatawa has been a key figure for Racing 92 as they have qualified for a third Heineken Champions Cup final.