Four Leinster players nominated for European Player of the Year

Four Leinster players have been nominated for the EPCR's Investec Player of the Year, with Leo Cullen's side dominating the shortlist.

Half of the eight players nominated are from the Irish province, with Caelan Doris, James Lowe, Dan Sheehan and Jamison Gibson-Park all put forward.

Doris is nominated for the third year in a row, having lost out to teammate Josh van der Flier in 2022, as well as La Rochelle's Greg Alldritt last year.

Lowe, who was also shortlisted for the prize in 2022, missed Leinster's opening two games of the Champions Cup pool stage, but is nominated after scoring three tries in four matches, while Gibson Park's five tries in this year's championship has only been bettered by Louis Bielle-Biarrey of Bordeaux.

As well as the Leinster quartet, two Northampton Saints players have been shortlisted, with out-half Fin Smith and flanker Courtney Lawes picked out after the Premiership's side impressive run to the semi-finals, while Toulouse captain Antoine Dupont and Marcus Smith of Harlequins complete the list.

The award will be decided by public vote, with the winner of the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy to be announced following the Champions Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 25 May.

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