Munster Rugby’s third line, Jack O’Donoghue produced a classy performance during the group stage of the Champions Cup. The 28-year-old is now nominated for the EPCR European Player of the Year 2022 award.
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Author of three matches during the group stage, O’Donoghue scored his very first European try during the match of the second day of Munster, in Pool B, against Castres Olympique. The third row scored the only try for the Irish province to seal the victory (19-13) at Thomond Park.
O’Donoghue signed his second try of the season in a big victory against Wasps (45-7). On the occasion of this meeting, he entered the history of the Red Army by becoming the youngest player, at the age of 27, to play 150 matches under the colors of Munster.
The Irishman will look to build on his impressive Champions Cup campaign when Munster take on Exeter Chiefs in the Round of 16 to secure Johann van Graan’s side a place in the quarter-finals.
The winner of the twelfth edition of this award will receive the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy in memory of the former coach and captain of Munster Rugby. Fans can now VOTE HERE and they will have the chance to win a signed ball and jersey from one of the Champions Cup finalist clubs.
The list of fifteen nominees will then be reduced to five players in May, after the Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup semi-finals, by a combination of public voting and the opinion of an expert jury. It should be noted that, if certain players not retained in the initial list stand out during the elimination phase, then they may be included in the shortlist.
The votes will be open again and the winner of the 2022 edition will be revealed after the Champions Cup final on Saturday May 28 in Marseille.
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There are several stars in the running for European Player of the Year 2022 🤩
Who do you think deserves to win this award?
Vote for your #EPOTY2022 👉 https://t.co/XE85HzGC2v pic.twitter.com/Fhz7byIkjK
— Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) February 1, 2022
List of nominees for the EPCR European Player of the Year Award 2022:
Grégory ALLDRITT (Rochelais Stadium)
Alex DOMBRANDT (Harlequins)
Caelan DORIS (Leinster Rugby)
Antoine DUPONT (Toulouse Stadium)
Gael FICKOU (Racing 92)
George FORD (Leicester Tigers)
Michael LOWRY (Ulster Rugby)
Jimmy O’BRIEN (Leinster Rugby)
Jack O’DONOGHUE (Munster Rugby)
Damian PENAUD (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Seeds RADRADRA (Bristol Bears)
Sam SIMMONDS (Exeter Chiefs)
Marcus SMITH (Harlequins)
Josh VAN DER FLIER (Leinster Rugby)
Cameron W.O.K.I. (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
Jury d’experts : Erik Bonneval (beIN SPORTS), Bryan Havana (double winner of the Champions Cup), Lee McKenzie (Channel 4), Alan Quinlan(Virgin Media) et Dimitri Yachvili(France Televisions)
Previous winners – 2021: Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain); 2020: Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs); 2019: Alex Goode (Saracens); 2018: Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92); 2017: Owen Farrell (Saracens); 2016: Maro Itoje (Saracens); 2015: Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne); 2014: Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon); 2013: Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon); 2012: Rob Kearney (Leinster Rugby); 2011: Sean O’Brien (Leinster Rugby); 2010: Ronan O’Gara (Munster Rugby – best player of the first 15 years of the European Cups)
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