The Ireland international was a huge presence as Leinster stormed to a second successive final, and he will no doubt be an influential figure in Saturday’s showpiece game against Stade Rochelais in Dublin.

Doris has started in six of the Irish province’s seven games in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, dotting down in each of their pool stage wins over Gloucester Rugby.

The 25-year-old made 16 tackles in Leinster’s semi-final victory over Stade Toulousain – only teammate Josh van der Flier managed more- and was Heineken Star of the Match at Racing in Round 1 and against Gloucester in Round 2.

Voting for one of the most coveted individual awards in world rugby has now reopened on epcrugby.com/epoty and the winner and recipient of the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy will be announced following the Heineken Champions Cup final.

2023 EPCR Player of the Year shortlist 
Grégory ALLDRITT (Stade Rochelais)
Caelan DORIS (Leinster Rugby)
Antoine DUPONT (Stade Toulousain)
Garry RINGROSE (Leinster Rugby)
Josh VAN DER FLIER (Leinster Rugby)

Judging Panel – Bryan Habana (two-time Heineken Champions Cup winner), Sarah Hunter (former England captain), Elma Smit (sports presenter and producer), Andy Goode (two-time Heineken Cup winner), Dimitri Yachvili (France Télévisions and Challenge Cup winner)

Roll of Honour
2022: Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby)
2021: Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain)
2020: Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
2019: Alex Goode (Saracens)
2018: Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92)
2017: Owen Farrell (Saracens)
2016: Maro Itoje (Saracens)
2015: Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
2014: Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon)
2013: Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon)
2012: Rob Kearney (Leinster Rugby)
2011: Sean O’Brien (Leinster Rugby)
2010: Ronan O’Gara (Munster Rugby – best player of first 15 years of European club rugby)

Leinster Rugby back-row forward Caelan Doris features on a five-man 2023 EPCR Player of the Year shortlist after an influential Heineken Champions Cup campaign.