His scrummaging provided La Rochelle the ideal platform throughout the competition, and he also demonstrated an impressive turn of pace when he crossed for the opening try in their quarter-final win over Montpellier Hérault Rugby.

Other nominees: Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby)

Rónan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby)

Though he was forced off with an injury just 15 minutes into the final, Kelleher was a vital cog in Leinster’s march to the showpiece game.

The hooker started seven games in total, and he grabbed a try following a powerful surge in Leinster’s opening round win over Bath.

Other nominees: Pierre Bougarit (Stade Rochelais), Rob Herring (Ulster Rugby), Peato Mauvaka (Stade Toulousain)

Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby)

Furlong was another key man in a fearsome Leinster pack, appearing seven times and starting in the final.

Robust both in the contact and the scrum, the prop went over in Leinster’s opening round win over Bath Rugby and got on the scoresheet again in the Round of 16 second leg demolition of Connacht Rugby.

Other nominees: Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby)

Will Skelton (Stade Rochelais)

Skelton’s return from injury ahead of the final was a huge boost for La Rochelle, and the Australian produced a rampaging display on big stage, completing 17 carries, a tally only bettered by his captain Grégory Alldritt.

The lock made five appearances in the competition as he lifted the trophy for a second time in his career.

Other nominees: Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks), Emmanuel Meafou (Stade Toulousain)

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Ross Molony (Leinster Rugby)

Molony dotted down for a try in a pool stage win over Montpellier Hérault Rugby, but it was his contributions in defence that proved invaluable for Leinster.

He completed 104 tackles in eight games – the second-best tally of any player in the competition - missing just seven. His 36 lineout claims also proved a key component in Leinster’s run to the final.

Other nominees: Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks), Emmanuel Meafou (Stade Toulousain)

Peter O’Mahony (Munster Rugby)

Munster may have suffered heartbreak in the quarter-finals, but their battling performances in the tournament were typified by the imperious O’Mahony.

In just six games, the 32-year-old secured 18 turnovers, doubling the total managed by his nearest challenger in the category. He was also one of the leading players when it came to lineouts won (41), with eight of those coming as steals.

Other nominees: Caelan Doris (Leinster Rugby), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92)

Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby)

The EPCR European Player of the Year would have been impossible to omit from the team of the season.

His phenomenal campaign saw him score six tries in eight games, including one in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals, while he also completed 114 tackles, aided by his match-leading 25 in the final.

Other nominees: Caelan Doris (Leinster Rugby), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92)

Grégory Alldritt (Stade Rochelais)

The man to lift the 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup is a fitting way to round off the pack. La Rochelle captain Alldritt was an inspiration for his side throughout the tournament, crossing for two tries and making more carries (135) and beating more defenders (29) than any other player.

The No.8 was also among the leading players when it came to turnovers (nine), offloads (15), tackles (79) and metres made (640).

Other nominees: Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby), Zach Mercer (Montpellier Hérault Rugby), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)