With the 2018 EPCR European Player of the Year - presented by Turkish Airlines - announced in just over two weeks' time, we profile the five outstanding players now in with a chance of winning the prestigious award. Scott Fardy (Leinster Rugby) The Australian forward has made a splash in his debut campaign for Leinster, having joined from Super Rugby side Brumbies at the start of this season. Having starred at the World Cup in 2015, the 33-year-old has looked a world-class acquisition throughout the Irish province’s unbeaten run in this season's European Rugby Champions Cup, with his physicality at the breakdown ensuring Leinster's dominance there. This was highlighted during Leinster’s 38-16 semi-final victory over Scarlets, when he scored a second-half try in a Heineken Man of the Match display to help secure the Irish province’s place in the Bilbao final. Fardy also touched down twice in his side’s 55-19 win over Glasgow Warriors in the Pool stages.

? | If they are victorious on May 12, @LeinsterRugby would equal Saracens’ 2015/16 record of nine victories in a Champions Cup winning season. #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/G5rd2xMYBu
— Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 25, 2018

Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby) The Ireland prop has been an instrumental part of Leinster’s flawless Champions Cup season so far. The rock of many a Leinster scrum this season, Furlong has epitomised the modern forward thanks to his ability with ball in hand and his tenacious work at the breakdown. The 25-year-old’s influence was highlighted again in Leinster’s semi-final win over Scarlets, where he made six tackles and eight carries in another busy afternoon. Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92) The Racing scrum-half gave majestic displays in both the French side's knockout stage victories in the Champions Cup to earn his inclusion in this year’s EPCR European Player of the Year shortlist. Machenaud kicked 13 points in the 28-17 quarter-final success against ASM Clermont Auvergne, but his best performance came in Racing's 27-22 victory over Munster Rugby in the semi-finals. Apart from the try gifted to him by wing Teddy Thomas, Machenaud’s kicking game remained flawless under intense pressure as he slotted three conversions and two penalties in an impressive 17-point haul to take his tally to 85 points for the season.

? "We saw two years ago against Saracens that you do not have the title of European champions gifted to you. We have learnt a lot since then."
Read the @Racing92 perspective after their semi-final victory. ? https://t.co/K9KXss93JN pic.twitter.com/xKbcBOycIx — Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 24, 2018

Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92) The Fijian international has been at the heart of Racing’s successful Champions Cup campaign so far this season – as the statistics show. The 30-year-old lock has scored four tries as well as recording 111 carries, 22 defenders beaten, 20 offloads and 36 lineouts won in just eight matches. His influence in the Champions Cup was especially evident in their semi-final victory over Munster Rugby, when he helped provide quick ball at the breakdown for all three of Racing's first-half tries Johnny Sexton (Leinster Rugby) The Ireland fly-half has been at his dynamic best in the Champions Cup this season, guiding Leinster through every challenge that has been put in their way. The 32-year-old has 70 points already to his name in this campaign and sits sixth on the all-time European Cup points-scorers' list, after overtaking David Humphreys earlier this season. Outside of his outstanding kicking game, Sexton has scored four tries this season, including one in the semi-final victory over Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium. Voting is now open on epcrugby.com/epoty and will close following the Champions Cup final at the San Mamés Stadium on 12 May. The winner will receive the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy, a specially-struck commemorative medal and one million air miles courtesy of Turkish Airlines.