Heineken Cup

Wilkinson named European Player of the Year

ESPN Staff

Toulon's Jonny Wilkinson been rewarded for steering his side to the Heineken Cup crown with the ERC European Player of the Year honour.

Wilkinson was a key figure in his side's dramatic 16-15 victory over Clermont Auvergne in Dublin on Saturday but his influence stretched far beyond that enthralling Aviva Stadium clash with the fly-half kicking 56 points in the three knock-out matches to round off the successful campaign with a total of 108 points.

The 33-year-old was presented with his award, a specially struck gold medal, by ERC chief executive Derek McGrath, at a ceremony following his side's historic first euro triumph. "To receive an award of this importance towards the end of my career is really special. I feel privileged to have been nominated," said Wilkinson.

Wilkinson follows in the footsteps of previous winners - Munster's Ronan O'Gara and the Leinster duo of Rob Kearney and Sean O'Brien. Wilkinson was the choice of a judging panel that also shortlisted the Clermont Auvergne trio of Julien Bonnaire, Wesley Fofana and Sitiveni Sivivatu and Leinster's Jamie Heaslip.

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