Nick Abendanon named European Player of the Year

Clermont Auvergne full back Nick Abendanon has been named the European Player of the Year 2015.

28-year-old Abendanon was one of the standout performers in last Saturday's Champions Cup final, despite his side going down 24-18 to the reigning champions and French rivals Toulon at Twickenham.

As well as scoring in the final former England international Abendanon started all nine of Clermont's European games, including their home and away victories over Munster last December, and made the most carries, metres and clean-breaks as well as beating the most defenders throughout the tournament.

On receiving the award, Abendanon said: “It’s obviously a huge honour to receive this accolade, especially with the great players who have received it in years past. 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 therefore like to accept it on behalf of the whole squad as a small consolation for Saturday’s disappointment.”

Previous winners of the award are Leinster's Rob Kearney in 2012 and Sean O'Brien in 2011, as well as Ronan O'Gara who was the inaugural recipient in 2010 as the best player throughout the first 15 years of the European tournaments.