Nick Abendanon has been named the European Champions Cup player of the year. The Clermont Auvergne full-back has enjoyed an excellent debut campaign with the French club and scored a superb try in the 24-18 defeat to Toulon in the European Champions Cup final on Saturday.
The 28-year-old, who started all of Clermont’s nine European matches this season, fought off competition from Steffon Armitage (Toulon), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Fritz Lee (Clermont) and Billy Vunipola (Saracens) to win the award.
“It’s a huge honour to receive this accolade, especially with the great players who have received it in years past,” Abendanon said. “I want to thank everyone involved at Clermont for the help, support and character shown throughout the year.
“I realise that this is an individual award but it is, for me, a recognition of the players around me who have shown such resolve and endeavour during a tough European season. I would like to accept it on behalf of the whole squad as a small consolation for Saturday’s disappointment.”
The announcement will give further ammunition to those who believe Abendanon should be included in England’s 45-man World Cup training squad, who will be announced later this month. He has suffered from England’s selection policy that stipulates players who play overseas should be picked only in exceptional circumstances.
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