Despite the victory of Stade Rochelais, and the presence of the captain of the Maritimes Grégory Alldritt among the five finalists (like the Toulousain Antoine Dupont), it was the third-row Irish wing Josh van der Flier who won the title of European Player of the Year 2022. He becomes the third Leinster player to win this individual award after Irish provincial legends Sean O’Brien (2011) and Rob Kearney (2012). The 29-year-old was presented with the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy after the final at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille.
Over 30,000 votes were cast via the ChampionsCupRugby.com website and public opinion, combined with the verdict of the expert jury – Erik Bonneval (beIN SPORTS), Bryan Habana (two-time Champions Cup winner), Lee McKenzie (Channel 4), Alan Quinlan (two-time winner of the Champions Cup / Virgin Media) and Dimitri Yachvili (winner of the EPCR Challenge Cup / France Télévisions) – helped designate the winner.
All winners: 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 the first 15 years of the European Cups)
