Saracens wing Chris Ashton and number eight Billy Vunipola have been nominated for the 2015 EPRC European player of the year award 2015.

It is the second year in succession Ashton has been included and the 27-year-old was the top try-scorer in Europe last season, crossing the whitewash 11 times to break the competition's record in the process.

And Ashton has taken that form into the 2014/15 season, scoring four times to help the Wolf Pack reach the last eight of the competition.

Vunipola has also excelled for McCall's side, putting in a memorable display against Munster in Saracens' round five pool fixture.

The pair are among 15 nominees on the initial longlist, including last year's winner, Steffon Armitage of Toulon.

A shortlist of five will be announced following the semi-finals in May and supporters can vote using the #EPCRPlayer2015 hashtag on Twitter or via Facebook.

The 40 competing clubs in the Champions Cup will also be able to vote.

EPCR European Player of the Year 2015 longlist

Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon)
Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Jamie Heaslip (Leinster Rugby)
Juan Imhoff (Racing Metro 92)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Fritz Lee (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Camille Lopez (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Ian Madigan (Leinster Rugby)
George North (Northampton Saints)
Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro 92)
Aurélien Rougerie (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Nicolas Sanchez (RC Toulon)
Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing Metro 92)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)