It is time for you to pick the Player of the Rugby Europe Championship 2023, giving the fans a chance to vote for the best.
All teams were asked to submit their nominations of the players who are now in contention for the Player of the Championship.
GEORGIA
Vasil Lobzhanidze: Influential and charismatic, Vasil Lobzhanidze is definitely one of the best Georgian players of the last 20 years, as the scrum-half helped Georgia to win another title, being the catalyst for some of the best plays for the 2023 Champions.
Merab Sharikadze: Missed Georgia’s first games, but once he was back on the fray his presence on and off the pitch was felt. Two tries, three assists, a couple of clean breaks and 23 tackles (100%), had a massive impact in the centre pairing for Georgia.
Akaki Tabutsadze: The Georgian winger really can't stay away from the try-area, can't he? 8 tries in 5 matches, proving once again how lethal he can be with just a few gaps to run through
PORTUGAL
Rodrigo Marta: Six tries, 338 meters ran, 14 defenders beaten, 95% tackle attempt success, and a ludicrous season from one of the best young wingers in Europe.
José Madeira: One of the finest tacklers in the Rugby Europe Championship level, the Portuguese lock was just perfect in almost every play, working non-stop with and without the ball.
Nuno S. Guedes: A magician with the ball in hand or by boot, the fullback really ran the show for Portugal throughout their campaign, although unfortunately missed out on the final due to injury. He was the kingpin at the heart of the Lobos attacking strategy.
ROMANIA
Cristi Chirica: The powerful back-row made a real impact in 2023, finishing the Rugby Europe Championship season with a spectacular interception score that helped Romania to finish in Third place.
Taylor Gontineac: Romania felt the centre’s absence against Georgia and Spain, especially due to his line breaking and carrying skills. Gontineac finished the season with 6 tries and 8 clean breaks.
SPAIN
Facundo Domínguez: Arguably one of the hardest players to tackle, the number-eight was an anchor for Spain at the back of the scrum, and one of the best tacklers of the season (59).
Mario Pichardie: 97% of tackles completed, the blindside flanker was a real handful for the opposition when it came to the breakdown dispute, as he completed 5 turnovers in 2023.
NETHERLANDS
Christopher Raymond: Finished second player with highest number of tackles, and in first place with the most successful jackals, the Dutch number-eight also finished the 2023 Rugby Europe Championship as the forward with more clean breaks done and defenders beaten, and really set up the pace for Netherlands 5th place campaign.
Wolf Van Dijk: the open-side flanker scored a memorable try against Spain and was the player with the most tackles made in 2023 and deserves to be on this list for his slick combination of attacking and defensive skills.
GERMANY
Sebastian Ferreira: The flanker, who also played as a lock, was one of Germany’s top performers finishing the season with a 100% tackle record (23), slotting some lineout steals and a couple of sublime jackals, starting his 2023 with a bang.
Leo Wolf: Slick and cool while carrying, the centre dotted three tries in 2023 to finish as Germany’s best scorer and runner of the season (178 meters made).
BELGIUM
Chris Baudry: Lock Chris Baudry had a good season, helping the Belgian lineout function, whilst notching a couple of dominant tackles that would prove useful in the last match where they defeated Poland.
Florian Remue: The young back proved why he was seen as a wonderkid in the U20’s, mainly due to his handling and defensive skills, as he was able to perform seven effective jackals, six offloads, and score 2 tries in his first-ever Championship.
POLAND
Piotr Zeszutek: he was already selected as the Player of the Pool Stage for the fans and is in the run for another accolade. Scored a great try against Belgium on the last day of the Championship, proving why he deserves to be amongst the very best of the competition.
Siokivaha Halaifonua: Two tries, 130 meters ran, 23 tackles, 2 completed jackals, and even a couple of good kicks, the flanker was a threat for Poland and clinches a spot in this list.
By Francisco Isaac
Photos: Walter Degirolmo/FER Rugby, Jan Perlich, Dennis van de Sande, Luis Cabelo, Laurent Lefebvre, Irakli Tkemaladze
