ERC are delighted to announce their star-studded "team" who have formed the panel of judges in selecting the landmark ERC 15 awards to be announced on the eve of the 15th tournament final being played at Stade de France on Saturday, 22 May.
Between them some of the most illustrious names in the game will nominate the winners of the ERC 15 categories for best coach, best XV, best player and fair-play based on the action since 1995/96.
The nine-man panel consists of Sir Ian McGeechan, Lawrence Dallaglio, Ieuan Evans, Fabien Galthie, Donal Lenihan, Michael Lynagh, Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones and Jacques Verdier.
The panel members, who have all had major influences on the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup over the 15 campaigns, have all cast their votes and will meet in London on Tuesday, 30 March, to narrow down the final winners from those nominated.
Whose who on the ERC 15 panel:
Sir IAN McGEECHAN, OBE: Seven British & Irish Lions tours - 1974 and 1977 as a player - 1989, 1993, 1997, 2005 and 2009 as a coach - and won 32 caps for Scotland. A former Scotland coach, he was also Northampton Saints' coach from 1993 to 1999 and the Heineken Cup final winning coach with London Wasps in 2007.
LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO, OBE: Former England captain and 2003 World Cup final winner he made 85 appearances for England and made three British & Irish Lions tours in 1997, 2001 and 2005. He captained London Wasps to Heineken Cup final glory in 2004 and 2007 and the Amlin Challenge Cup title in 2003 and is an Amlin Challenge Cup Ambassador.
IEUAN EVANS, MBE: Former Wales captain, who he led a record 28 times, and scored 33 tries in 72 appearances for his country. Toured three times with the British & Irish Lions in 1989, 1993 and 1997, and was a Heineken Cup final winner with Bath in 1998.
FABIEN GALTHIE: Former France captain who won 64 caps and played in four World Cup final tournaments. He was named IRB Player of the Year for 2002 and played for Colomiers in the 1999 Heineken Cup final 21-6 defeat by Ulster Rugby.
DONAL LENIHAN: Former Ireland captain who won 52 caps and led his country 17 times. He made three British & Irish Lions tours as a player, in 1983, 1986 and 1989, and was manager of the 2001 tourists. Was also Ireland team manager and is prominent as a respected commentator.
MICHAEL LYNAGH: Former Australian captain and 1991 World Cup final winner he made 72 appearances for the Wallabies, including the 1984 Grand Slam tour. His final tally of 911 Test points was a then world record. He played in both ERC tournaments, for Benetton Treviso and Saracens, now a key figure in Sky Sports' coverage of European club rugby.
STUART BARNES: Won 10 caps for England and toured with the 1993 British & Irish Lions. Played for Newport, Bristol and Bath before switching to the commentary box and now half the main Sky Sports "team" beside Miles Harrison while also a columnist for The Sunday Times.
STEPHEN JONES: Has been rugby correspondent of The Sunday Times for more than 20 years and twice named Sports Correspondent of the Year by the Sports Journalists' Association. He won William Hill's Sports Book of the Year for Endless Winter and has covered all 15 Heineken Cup tournaments.
JACQUES VERDIER: He is both the editor and a director of the bi-weekly Midi Olympique, and has written several books about rugby as well as two novels. He is a consultant for RMC radio and also broadcasts for Eurosport France.
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