Stephen Ferris in the running for European Player of the Year (Credit-Facebook Stephen Ferris)

There was a small piece of good news for Stephen Ferris today, who will almost certainly miss this weekend’s Heineken Cup quarter final against Munster with an ankle injury, as the flanker has been included in the “longlist” for the ERC European Player of the Year award. The list also includes both Irish outhalves, Jonathan Sexton and Ronan O’Gara.

The trio will be looking to inherit the crown from Seán O’Brien, whose outstanding performances on the road to last year’s Heineken Cup victory earned the Leinster man the title.

The current list is based on the pool stages from both competitions. Shortlisted players do not necessarily have to be included at this stage, meaning big performances in the knockout stages may see a player parachuted in.

The judging panel is comprised of Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports), Raphael Ibanez (Heineken Cup ambassador), Stephen Jones (Sunday Times), Emmanuel Massicard (Midi Olympique) and Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley.

Longlist for the ERC European Player of Year 2012 based on Pool stages:

Mouritz Botha – Lock – Saracens

Mike Brown – Fullback – Harlequins

Antoine Claassen – Backrow – Brive

Thierry Dusautoir – Backrow – Toulouse

Owen Farrell – Centre – Saracens

Stephen Ferris – Backrow – Ulster Rugby

Wesley Fofana – Centre – ASM Clermont Auvergne

Gethin Jenkins – Prop – Cardiff Blues

Jonny Sexton – Outhalf – Leinster

Greig Laidlaw – Scrumhalf/Outhalf – Edinburgh

Timoci Matanavou – Wing – Toulouse

Ignacio Mieres – Outhalf – Exeter Chiefs

Ben Morgan – Number Eight – Scarlets

Ronan O’Gara – Outhalf – Munster

Netani Talei – Number Eight – Edinburgh Rugby