Bok on Player of the Year list

Following the dramatic Challenge Cup quarterfinals, and with the European Cup quarterfinals now taking centre stage, a compelling subplot will be the search for the Player of the Year.

All 15 of the outstanding players named in the initial longlist for the 2013 award, selected after the Pool stages, featured in the match squads of this weekend's European Cup and Challenge Cup quarterfinalists.

The judging panel will also have the option to consider additional players who make major contributions during this weekend's European quarterfinal action before announcing a five-man shortlist following the semifinals – with the overall winner named directly after the European club finals in Dublin in May.

The illustrious list features Wesley Fofana of ASM Clermont Auvergne, Harlequins' fullback, Mike Brown, Owen Farrell of Saracens and Ulster's Ruan Pienaar and sees all eight European Cup quarterfinalists represented, while Joe Launchbury from London Wasps was the sole Challenge Cup representative before this weekend's action got underway.

European Player of the Year longlist:

(based on performances in the pool stages)

Ruan Pienaar (Ulster)

Steffon Armitage (Toulon)

Rory Best (Ulster)

Julien Bonnaire (ASM Clermont Auvergne)

Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

Owen Farrell (Saracens)

Wesley Fofana (ASM Clermont Auvergne)

Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier)

Charlie Hodgson ((Saracens)

James Johnston (Harlequins)

Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)

Morgan Parra (ASM Clermont Auvergne)

Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)

Simon Zebo (Munster)