Caelan Doris Named Ireland's Sole Player of the Year Nominee

Caelan Doris is the only Irish player in the 10-strong list of nominees for the Investec Champions Cup Player of the Year nominees. Back-rower Doris led Leinster to four pool victories and top spot in Pool 3, securing a third seed spot for the last-16 round. They will host 14th seeds Edinburgh on the first weekend of April. Champions Bordeaux, who were rampant in the pool phase, have two players among the nominees, wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey and out-half Matthieu Jalibert. Premiership winners Bath are the only other side to boast two shortlisted players, with out-half Finn Russell and number eight Alfie Barbeary selected. The remaining five nominees are Thomas Ramos (Toulouse) Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors), Tom Willis (Saracens), George Hendy (Northampton Saints) and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) The list was drawn up by a panel of ex-players and broadcasters following the conclusion of the pool phase, with public voting open until the end of the quarter-finals in April. The list will be whittled down to five by a combination of judges and public vote, with the winner announced after the final in Bilbao on 23 May. The winner is awarded the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy. Four Irish players have previously won the award: Ronan O'Gara (2010), Sean O'Brien (2011), Rob Kearney (2012) and Josh van der Flier (2022). 2026 Investec Player of the Year nominees