The Investec Player of the Year award will recognise the players who delivered outstanding performances during the pool stage of the Investec Champions Cup, and Springbok and Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the solitary South African among the group.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been in sensational form for the in-form Stormers all season, and should be a strong contender for the top award, although there is some fierce competition he will face.
Union Bordeaux Bègles and Glasgow Warriors were both flawless during the pool stage, recording bonus-point victories in all four matches, and it is no surprise to see several of their players among the nominees.
Bordeaux winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, the tournament’s leading try-scorer with six, earns a nomination alongside teammate Matthieu Jalibert, who scored the most points in the opening two rounds and currently totals four tries and seven conversions.
For Glasgow Warriors, Jack Dempsey is recognised for his exceptional attacking and defensive contribution, leading the competition for carries and ranking third for tackles.
Bath Rugby are also well represented, with two nominees. Alfie Barbeary, Investec Player of the Match in both Round 3 and Round 4, is joined by Finn Russell, who amassed an impressive 51 points and 21 conversions during the pool stage.
Bath will face Saracens in the Round of 16, with Saracens’ Tom Willis earning his nomination thanks to his strong attacking displays and an impressive 85% tackle success rate.
Thomas Ramos has been instrumental in securing Stade Toulousain’s home advantage for the Round of 16. The competition’s top points scorer, Ramos has accumulated 53 points and 24 conversions so far. Leinster Rugby captain Caelan Doris also features among the nominees after leading his side to four pool stage victories and top spot in their pool.
Northampton Saints’ George Hendy, Investec Player of the Match in Round 2, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu – who also features among the nominees for the SA Rugby Men’s and Young Player of the Year awards – complete the shortlist, following strong pool stage performances with their respective clubs.
Stormers star in the mix among Player of the Year nominees
- Alfie Barbeary (Bath Rugby)
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
- Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors)
- Caelan Doris (Leinster Rugby)
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)
- George Hendy (Northampton Saints)
- Matthieu Jalibert (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
- Thomas Ramos (Stade Toulousain)
- Finn Russell (Bath Rugby)
- Tom Willis (Saracens)
Roll of Honour
- 2025: Damian Penaud (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
- 2024: Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain)
- 2023: Gregory Alldritt (Stade Rochelais)
- 2022: Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby)
- 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 first 15 years of European club rugby)
