Tipuric a contender for European player of the year honours
JUSTIN Tipuric is among the nominees to be named European Player of the Year.
Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi (from the Sharks), Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle) and World Rugby player of 2022 Josh van der Flier (Leinster) are also on a 15-strong list. The Sharks and Leinster have four players each.
Tipuric’s inclusion comes after Ospreys qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2010.
With the openside as captain, the Welsh team won three of their four pool games, along the way doubling French champions Montpellier and beating English title-holders Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.
Tipuric stood tall in every game his side played but especially in the home success over Montpellier, with his performance seeing him make 16 tackles, carry for 17 metres, take a couple of lineouts and score an extraordinary try that involved the flanker putting in a cross-field kick, then chasing infield to support work from Keelan Giles and expertly finishing.
Afterwards, Ospreys head coach Toby Booth likened the No. 7 to a great former France flanker who won four Grand Slams. “He reminds me so much of Olivier Magne, who I had the pleasure of coaching at London Irish and was a freak of a player,” Booth said.
“Not just as an athlete but also as a rugby player. He could probably have played six, seven, eight nine, 10, 12 or 13 or 15 and Justin is exactly the same. We have the man in the blue hat who can play anywhere.
“His skill-set is ridiculous, he sets the bar for the team and is leading exceptionally well.”
Tipuric was named man of the match for that display, and has been a candidate for the award in at least three of his team’s four European games.
A panel of judges chose the initial list of 15 players, which will be reduced to five after the semi-final matches in April by a combination of public vote and the verdict of the judges.
Players not included in the longlist but who made a significant impact in the knockout stages may be considered for the final shortlist.
The winner will receive the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy in memory of the former Munster head coach and captain.
EPCR player of the year nominees: Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Gavin Coombes (Munster), Caelan Doris, Jamie Osborne, Garry Ringose, Josh van der Flier (all Leinster), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Antoine Dupont, Julien Marchand, Emmanuel Meafou (all Toulouse). Eben Etzebeth, Jaden Henkdrikse, Siya Kolisi and Makazole Mapimpi (all Cell C Sharks), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys).