Irish trio Jonathan Sexton, Rob Kearney and Stephen Ferris have made the shortlist for the European Player of the Year for the 2011/12 season along with Ulster’s South African half-back Ruan Pienaar and English veteran Jonny Wilkinson.

With Leinster seeking to defend their European Cup title against fellow Irish province Ulster at Twickenham on Saturday, the two clubs provide four of the five shortlisted players.

Outside-half Sexton and full-back Kearney play for Leinster, while flanker Ferris has been in barn-storming form alongside Pienaar for Ulster.

Toulon’s talismanic outside-half Wilkinson, who will play in Friday’s Challenge Cup final against Biarritz at the Twickenham Stoop, completes the list.