Former Australia international Scott Fardy is in contention to be named European Player of the Year after making the five man short list announced by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old backrow forward — a member of the Wallabies side that lost to historic rivals New Zealand in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final – is one of three Leinster stars to make the list.

Fardy, who was man of the match in the Irish province’s 38-16 demolition of Welsh region Scarlets in last Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final, is joined by iconic fly-half Johnny Sexton and star prop Tadgh Furlong.

The latter two are riding on a crest of a wave this season after playing pivotal roles in Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam campaign.

The other two on the short list, France scrum-half Maxime Machenaud and Fijian lock Leone Nakarawa – a member of Fiji’s historic sevens Olympic gold medal winning team – play for French side Racing 92, Leinster’s opponents in the final.

A mix of a public vote and a panel of experts will decide the winner – England fly-half Owen Farrell won last year.

The winner of the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy – named in honour of the late Munster head coach and former Ireland back row forward – will be announced after the May 12 final in the Spanish city of Bilbao.