Saracens' trio Chris Ashton, Schalk Brits and Jacques Burger have been nominated for the 2014 ERC European player of the year award.

The three have all played integral roles as the Men in Black reached their maiden Heinken Cup final last weekend with a 46-6 victory over Clermont Augverne.

Ashton scored two tries in the win at Twickenham to take him up to 11 for the campaign, meaning he is now highest scorer in a single season of the Heineken Cup, taking him past Sebastian Carrat's 17-year record of ten.

Toulon pair Steffon Armitage and Johnny Wilkinson are both shortlisted too.

The winner will be announced after the final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on May 24.