Josh van der Flier wins European Player of the Year award

Leinster wing Josh van der Flier has been named the EPCR European Player of the Year 2022 following an outstanding season.

The decision follows after a polling in the HeinekenChampionsCup.com that received over 30,000 votes along with the verdict from the judging panel that includes Erik Bonneval (beIN?SPORTS), Bryan Habana (two-time Heineken Champions Cup winner), Lee McKenzie (Channel 4), Alan Quinlan (Virgin Media and two-time Heineken Champions Cup winner), Dimitri Yachvili (France?Télévisions and EPCR Challenge Cup winner).

Van der Flier now becomes the third Leinster player to claim the award after Sean O’Brien (2011) and Rob Kearney (2012).

Leinster's Caelan Doris and James Lowe, La Rochelle's Gregory Alldritt and Toulouse’s Antoine Dupont were the other contenders.

The final of the Heineken Champions Cup saw La Rochelle edge out Leinster 24-21 at Stade Vélodrome on Saturday to win the title for the first time.

Winners of European Player of the Year:

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)