Abendanon named European Player of the Year

Nick Abendanon has been named the 2015 European Player of the Year after an outstanding individual performance in the Champions Cup final at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.
The Clermont full-back, 28, capped an excellent campaign with a try-scoring performance in the final and, despite his club's loss to Toulon, he topped the EPCR attack stats for the showpiece final with 155 metres made from 17 carries.
The former Bath star started all of Clermont's nine Champions Cup matches in the No15 jersey and in his 693 minutes on the field made a massive contribution to his club's run to a second European Cup final.
The tournament stats highlight the player's consistent performances throughout the campaign with Abendanon topping four attack categories racking up 112 carries, 929 metres made, 13 clean breaks and beating 34 defenders on the way to scoring four tries.
He 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.”