Sean O'Brien Adds ERC Player Trophy

Derek McGrath presents award to Sean O'Brien [Inpho]

Sean O'Brien has been named as the ERC European Player of the Year for 2011.

The award crowns a magnificent season for the Leinster back row player, who started every one of the Irish province's nine games as they carried off the Heineken Cup for the second time in three years.

This weekend O'Brien, who also played throughout Ireland's RBS 6 Nations campaign this year, and his Leinster team mates will be hoping to double up by becoming only the fourth club to win a domestic league and European Cup double when they meet Munster in the Magners League Grand Final at Thomond Park.

O'Brien was presented with his award, a specially struck gold medal, by ERC chief executive Derek McGrath at a ceremony at the player's home ground, the RDS.

"Sean was an inspirational character at the heart of the Leinster pack in their victorious Heineken Cup season and proved himself to be a major force both as a ball carrier and defender," said McGrath.

"He played across the back row, scored vital tries and picked up three Heineken Man of the Match awards. His power, athleticism and consistency over the course of the Heineken Cup made him an excellent choice for the ERC European Player of the Year Award."

In 2010 ERC, the governing body of Europe's two club rugby tournaments, launched the highly acclaimed ERC15 Awards, recognising the efforts of a number of outstanding contributors to the first decade and a half of European competition. The inaugural recipient of theERC European Player Award, as the best player over the first 15 years of these tournaments, was Munster's Ronan O'Gara.

For the 2010/11 season ERC opted to present one award to recognise the best player of the season from both of its tournaments - the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup - selected by a panel of five experts.

The Selection Panel comprised three members of last year's ERC15 Awards committee, Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports), Jean-Roger Delsaud (Midi Olympique) and Stephen Jones (Sunday Times). They were joined by Heineken Cup Ambassador, Raphael Ibanez, and Gerry Thornley (Irish Times).

"It's been a fantastic year for me, and more importantly for Leinster," said O'Brien. "It's great to be presented with an award like this, but it has more to do with the team than it has to do with me. Hopefully, this is only the start rather than the end of our success in Europe, and of course, we've got another trophy to aim at this weekend."

FACTFILE

Born: 14 February, 1987, Ardistan, County Carlow

Height: 1.88 m (6' 2")

Weight: 108 kg (16 st 13 lb)

School: Tullow Community School

Province: Leinster

Clubs: UCD, Tullow

Ireland Caps: 9 (W7,L2)

Test Debut: Ireland v Fiji at Dublin, 21 November, 2009

Sean won caps for Ireland at Under 18, Youth, Under 20 and 21 levels, including a junior Grand Slam at Under 20 in 2007, and has now made 55 appearances (55 points) for Leinster. He has nine Irish caps to his credit to date.

ERC Player of the Year Nominees

2011 Selection panel

Two teams will be celebrating continental glory this weekend but only one man will be crowned the first ERC European Player of the Year.

That prestigious accolade will be given to one of five stars set to grace Europe's biggest stage this Friday and Saturday.

Stade Francais skipper Sergio Parisse is in action in tonight's Amlin Challenge Cup Final against Harlequins, while Leinster trio Jamie Heaslip, Isa Nacewa and Sean O'Brien go head-to-head with Northampton Saints prop Soane Tonga'uiha in the Heineken Cup Final tomorrow afternoon.

One of these men will follow in the footsteps of Ronan O'Gara, who was named the best player of the first 15 years of European competition at last season's ERC 15 awards ceremony. But while the Munster veteran was rewarded for his consistent efforts since his European debut back in the 1997/98 season, this year's victor will be the first to be judged solely on his impact on a single Heineken Cup or Amlin Challenge Cup campaign.

The star-studded quintet were chosen earlier as this week by a panel of esteemed judges, with each of the 44 clubs involved in European competition then canvassed for their votes.

And with the clubs now having had their say, the selection panel compromising journalists and broadcasters Stephen Jones of the Sunday Times, Stuart Barnes of Sky Sports, Jean-Roger Delsaud from Midi Olympique and Gerry Thornley of the Irish Times, as well as Heineken Cup Ambassador and former tournament winner Raphael Ibanez, reconvened in Cardiff to discuss the feedback.

After hours of deliberation, the panel will sit back and watch both this weekend's fixtures before announcing the final decision on Monday.

The nominees:

Jamie Heaslip - Leinster

A huge presence in the Leinster pack as the Dubliners marched towards a second Heineken Cup Final in three years. A try scorer in the historic Murrayfield win over Leicester two years ago, Heaslip's indomitable ball carrying, tireless defence and calmness at the base of the scrum has been a major driving force in the six Heineken Cup fixtures in which he has featured this term.

Isa Nacewa - Leinster

Played in every one of Leinster's eight games on the road to a Saturday's showdown with Northampton scoring three tries, including a crucial touchdown in the quarter-final against Leicester. Has played 22 games in a row for Leinster, helping them win the title in 2009, reach the semi-finals last year and now a second final.

Sean O'Brien - Leinster

Four tries and three Man of the Match Awards as he helped Leinster reach the Heineken Cup Final. Started every game and played in all three back row positions. Made a major impact with the ball in hand and in defence.

Soane Tongahuia - Northampton Saints

Has been a one-man wrecking machine in the front row for Saints and picked up two Man of Match awards during the Pool stages. Made a real mess of Nicholas Mas and the rest of the much vaunted Perpignan scrum in the semi-final.

Sergio Parisse - Stade Francais Paris

Played a massive role in all the key games for Stade in their march to a third European final, including big performances in the quarter and semi-final victories over Montpellier and ASM Clermont Auvergne.