ERC Player of the Season - Non Political Thread

[LondonTiger]

Well the original thread managed to be derailed. So how about we discuss the on-field merits of the 5 contenders? After all there are enough threads delving interminably into the politics of European Rugby.

[LondonTiger]

Usually these awards tend to get given to a player from the winning team, whgich last year saw Jonny Wilkinson win it. while he had a 100% kicking record in the 2013 KO stages, it can easily be argued that he was not Toulons best player - though quite possibly the most influential.

For me Chris Ashton has been the standout player for Sarries across the entire tournament - setting a new try scoring record in the process. Brits and Burger sum up the ethos of Sarries but with burger playing in only 50% of matches and Brits having struggled against Toulouse and Ulster I have to go for Ashton from Sarries.

Steffon has had some realk eyecatching moments and coudl well win should Toulon win in Cardiff.

[asoreleftshoulder]

Hard to call until we've seen the final as a big contribution in that match could swing it,I don't think Wilkinson should get it,Toulon look a better team with Giteau at 10 imo but if he keeps kicking them to wins he'll be in with a shout.

Ashton or Armitage are the frontrunners for me.

[Rugby Fan]

...Toulon look a better team with Giteau at 10 imo...

he's had a good campaign. Arguably more influential than Wilkinson this year.

[quinsforever]

wilko is the culture-carrier of the toulon side. for that reason he will always play if he's fit, even if giteau is perhaps more dangerous. plus, giteau is an awesome 12, which wilko is not with his gammy shoulders.

i agree with the above posts though, if it goes to a player on the winning side, has to be Ashton or Armitage for me.

[No 7&1/2]

I think Ashton has had a really strong year. Given the fact he's coming off the back of the disappointment of being dropped for England he's responded really well. His performance in the semi was fantastic and he's breaking records. What more could you want?

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Sarries: Ashton
Toulon: Wilkinson

That's where the likely winners will be found.

A clear All-Englishmen choice (or is that too political? or just an observation?).

Who will actually decide the real McCoy?

[beshocked]

Impossible to pick till the final has been played.

Portnoy's complaint sums it up nicely.

[Notch]

Jonny Wilkinson wrote this aged 9

Spoiler:

I love that at 9 years old he's saying he wants to play against someone really big and have a hard match! Legend.

[yappysnap]

What a legend.

What the f*ck was I doing when I was 9?    

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Win or lose, Splash will still be in the running.

[George Carlin]

Ashton has impressed me this year, most particularly in what has been an obvious drive for self improvement. He's just one of those people whose apparent demeanor (swan diving, face pulling, occasional handbags) makes him easy to dislike. The irony is that if you see him interviewed, he's not cocky at all. He should get it because he's worked for it and has been the most influential player in terms of game scorelines throughout the tournament.

Wilko doesn't need another trophy. Where would he put it? He's probably running out of shelf space in his guest bathrooms.

[Notch]

The award started in 2011. It has been won by Leinster players in 2011 and 2012, and Wilkinson of Toulon in 2013.

I don't expect them to break the trend of giving it to a player from the winning team.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

The award started in 2011. It has been won by Leinster players in 2011 and 2012, and Wilkinson of Toulon in 2013.

I don't expect them to break the trend of giving it to a player from the winning team.

Why? Ashton already has the credentials of ERC player of the season what with his record try count.

It's not MotM.

[Notch]

I'm just saying, I don't agree with it either but I'll bet the same thing happens this year as the last three years.

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