Duo In Euro Top 15
Semi Radradra and Virimi Vakatawa shortlisted for European Player of 2020
Two Fijians are among the 15 players shortlisted for the 2020 European Player of the Year.
Won by former Racing 92 and Flying Fijians lock forward in 2018 Leone Nakarawa, Semi Radradra and France international Virimi Vakatawa are among the nominees for Europe’s best.
Both had an outstanding season for their clubs with Naluwai, Naitasiri native Vakatawa outstanding at wing/centre for Racing 92 and France at 2019 Rugby World Cup. Somosomo, Taveuni native Radradra was devastating for Bordeaux-Begles at centre/ wing and for the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians at the 2019 RWC.
Bordeaux-Begles are second (47 points) in the Top 14 points standing and will play Viliame Mata’s Edinburgh in the European Challenge Cup on April 4.
Viriimi’s Racing 92 will play the Heineken Champions Cup quarterfinals against Clermont on April 4.
The winner of one of the most prized individual accolades in the world game will receive a specially-struck gold medal, as well as the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy.
The list will be reduced to five players in early May following the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals by a combination of the public vote and the verdict of the judges, and players who have not been included in the initial list of 15, but who make a significant impact in a quarter-final or semi-final match, may be considered for the shortlist. The voting will then reopen and the winner of the 2020 award will be announced following the Champions Cup final at the Stade Vélodrome, Marseille on Saturday, May 28.
Nominees: Marcell Coetzee (Ulster), John Cooney (Ulster), Luke Cowan- Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs), Jerome Kaino (Toulouse), Jordan Larmour (Leinster), George Moala (Clermont Auvergne), Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), Semi Radradra (BordeauxBègles), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Finn Russell (Racing 92), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Teddy Thomas (Racing 92), Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92)
RED FOR RATUNIYARAWA
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians lock forward Api Ratuniyarawa was red carded in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby over the weekend at Franklin Gardens.
The Northampton Saints lock forward was sent off in the 50th minute against Waisake Naholo’s London Irish for making contact in the face during a breakdown.
The Exiles beat the Saints 20-16, The Saints are on 29points while the Exiles are on 17pts after nine rounds.