The France No.8 started in all eight of Stade Rochelais’ wins in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, scoring three times, and was influential again in the final against Leinster Rugby on Saturday, helping his team to a stunning 27-26 win in Dublin.

Alldritt crossed in both of La Rochelle’s victories against Northampton Saints in the pool stage and added another in semi-finals against Exeter Chiefs.

After lifting the Heineken Champions Cup for a second time and being crowned EPCR Player of the Year, he said: “It's the same feeling as last year. It's very hard to comprehend.

“This match was unbelievable. We show enormous character, determination. We knew we wouldn't be given anything.

“Winning that way is just huge. We have to surpass ourselves to win the game. We didn't give up once.

“We need to go back to La Rochelle and see our old port full to bursting. We do not realize what we have just seen a second time.

“It's just crazy. I thought I would be at the peak of emotions in Marseille but it never stops. I'm going to ride the wave. The lost finals are over. We want trophies. It's just amazing.”

2023 EPCR Player of Year Gregory Alldritt says he cannot wait to take the Heineken Champions Cup trophy back to La Rochelle for a second time in two years.