ERC Player of the Season shortlist

Clermont can boast three of the five players nominated for the European Rugby Cup Player of the Season award.

Clermont can boast three of the five players nominated for the European Rugby Cup Player of the Season award.

It is no surprise to see the other Heineken Cup finalists, Toulon, represented by fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

Leinster number eight Jamie Heaslip is the only player on the list not set to feature in the final.

The winner will announced after the final on May 18

The Judging Panel for this season's award is: Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports), Will Greenwood (Daily Telegraph, World Cup winner and two-time Challenge Cup winner), Stephen Jones (Rugby Correspondent, Sunday Times), Emmanuel Massicard (Editor, Midi Olympique) and Gerry Thornley (Rugby Correspondent, Irish Times).

ERC Player of the Season shortlist:
Julian Bonnaire – Clermont Auvergne
Jamie Heaslip – Leinster
Sitiveni Sivivatu – Clermont Auvergne
Wesley Fofana – Clermont Auvergne
Jonny Wilkinson – Toulon

Previous winners:
2012: Rob Kearney (Leinster)
2011: Sean O'Brien (Leinster)
2010: Ronan O'Gara (Munster)