18 May, 15:44
It's down to the wire now for the five contenders who have been shortlisted for the ultimate individual accolade in northern hemisphere rugby, ERC European Player of the Year 2013.




Wilkinson, who recently was voted IRPA Zurich International Rugby Player of the Year by his fellow professionals, at the IRPA Zurich International Rugby Players' Awards, has been voted 'personality of the year' by the Rugby Union Writers' Club.
Wilkinson will receive the award at the Rugby Union Writers' Club annual dinner in London next month.
England first choice No.10 follows in the illustrious footsteps of Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Ben Clarke and Bill Beaumont in becoming only the fifth Englishman to win the Pat Marshall Memorial Award since its inception in 1975.
The 23-year-old Newcastle captain has almost 600 points from just 38 Test match appearances, and his vision and precise kicking was instrumental in England's recent victories over New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
The news will buoy Wilkinson, who will miss the Falcons match against Rugby Treviso in Round 2 of the PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP with an injured shoulder.