Leinster skipper Jamie Heaslip has been shortlisted for the EPCR European Player of the year award.

Number eight Heaslip is one of five nominees for award after he led Leinster to the last four of the European Champions Cup, where they were agonisingly beaten in extra time by defending and back-to-back champions Toulon.

Also in contention for the gong are Nick Abendanon and Fritz Lee of Clermont Auvergne and Toulon's Steffon Armitage, the three of whom will face off in the Champions Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday May 2nd.

Making up the shortlist is England number eight Billy Vunipola, whose Saracens side were beaten 13-9 by Clermont in the semi-finals.

If Heaslip is voted player of the year he will follow in the footsteps of team mates Sean O'Brien and Rob Kearney, who picked up the award in 2011 and 2012 respectively following victorious European campaigns with Leinster.