Six Heineken Champions Cup teams have players up for nomination, with Leinster Rugby, Racing 92 and Exeter Chiefs all boasting three players apiece on the list.

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.

Voting for the award is now open HERE. The list will be reduced to five following the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge 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 of 15, but who make a significant impact in a quarter-final or semi-final match may be considered for the shortlist.

The voting will then re-open and the winner of the 2020 award will be announced following the Heineken Champions Cup final next month.

The esteemed judging panel includes: 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 professional club competitions).

This year’s EPCR European Player of the Year is set to be decided in the next month as our 15 nominees do battle across the gripping Heineken Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup knockout stages.