Rugby: La Rochelle, Toulouse dominate European Player of the Year shortlist

LONDON: Champions Cup finalists Toulouse and La Rochelle have dominated the five-man shortlist for the European Player of the Year award, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) said on Tuesday.

Four-time Champions Cup winners Toulouse were represented by captain Julien Marchand, France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont and former All Black and two-time World Cup winner Jerome Kaino.

Toulouse qualified for the Twickenham showpiece with a 21-9 victory against Bordeaux Begles on Saturday.

La Rochelle's Gregory Alldritt and Will Skelton were also on the list, both having made try-scoring contributions Sunday's 32-23 semi-final win over Leinster.

The winner of the award - the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy - will be announced following the Champions Cup final on May 22.