Rugby: Three Irish players have been included on the provisional 'longlist' of 15 in the running to succeed 2011 European player of the year Seán O'Brien of Leinster.
Each province in the final eight teams of the Heineken Cup is represented, with both Ireland outhalves Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) and Ronan O’Gara (Munster) joined by Ulster backrow Stephen Ferris.
At least one of those is guaranteed to be knocked out of the competition this weekend, with Ulster due to travel to Thomond Park on Sunday to face Munster in the quarter-final, while Sexton and Leinster will meet Cardiff Blues on Saturday.
Blues prop Gethin Jenkins is also included on the list that will be whittled down to five after the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals at the end of the month.
The current list is based on the pool stages from both competitions. Shortlisted players do not necessarily have to be included at this stage, meaning big performances in the knockout stages may see a player parachuted in.
Last year’s shortlist included three players - Jamie Heaslip, Isa Nacewa and O'Brien - from eventual European champions Leinster, Italy’s Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais) and Soane Tonga'uiha of Northampton Saints.
Ireland are seeking a third consecutive winner after O’Gara preceded O’Brien for the inagural 2010 award.
The judging panel is comprised of Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports), Raphael Ibanez (Heineken Cup ambassador), Stephen Jones (Sunday Times), Emmanuel Massicard (Midi Olympique) and Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley.
Longlist for the ERC European Player of Year 2012 based on Pool stages
Mouritz Botha – Lock - Saracens
Mike Brown – Fullback - Harlequins
Antoine Claassen – Backrow - Brive
Thierry Dusautoir – Backrow - Toulouse
Owen Farrell – Centre - Saracens
Stephen Ferris - Backrow - Ulster Rugby
Wesley Fofana – Centre - ASM Clermont Auvergne
Gethin Jenkins - Prop - Cardiff Blues
Jonny Sexton – Outhalf – Leinster
Greig Laidlaw - Scrumhalf/Outhalf - Edinburgh
Timoci Matanavou – Wing - Toulouse
Ignacio Mieres – Outhalf - Exeter Chiefs
Ben Morgan – Number Eight - Scarlets
Ronan O'Gara – Outhalf – Munster
Netani Talei – Number Eight - Edinburgh Rugby
