Nick Abendanon named European Player of the Year

Clermont Auvergne full-back Nick Abendanon has won the European Player of the Year award.

The 28-year-old is the third Englishman to claim the accolade in the past three years, following in the footsteps of Jonny Wilkinson and Steffon Armitage.

Abendanon was part of the Clermont side that lost Saturday's European Rugby Champions Cup final 24-18 to Toulon.

"It's a huge honour, especially with the great players who have received this in the past," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

Abendanon has not played for England since 2007 due to the team's policy of not picking players who are based overseas.