Scotland star named on five man Player of the Year award shortlist but Glasgow Warriors ace misses cut

The fly-half faces competition from Bath teammate Alfie Barbeary plus France and Union Bordeaux Bègles pair Matthieu Jalibert and Louis Bielle-Biarrey for the award. Also on the shortlist is Leinster back rower and Ireland captain Caelan Doris.

Glasgow Warriors’ back rower Jack Dempsey was previously named among ten contenders for this year’s award alongside Saracens’ Tom Willis, Toulouse’s Thomas Ramos, Northampton Saints’ George Hendy and DHL Stormers’ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. However, those players have not made the cut for the final vote.

If Russell does win the award he would be the first Scottish player ever to do so and the first player representing an English club since Exeter Chiefs’ Sam Simmonds back in 2020. The trophy has been awarded since 2010 and has previously been picked up by legends of the game like Ronan O’Gara and Johnny Wilkinson.

Fans asked to vote for their favourite in 2026 Investec Player of the Year award

Former Glasgow Warriors’ favourite Leone Nakarawa is another previous recipient, having won the prestigious title in 2018 while playing for French club Racing 92. Last year’s winner was France and Union Bordeaux Bègles winger Damian Penaud .

The Investec Player of the Year award is selected by a panel of rugby legends, broadcasters and fan votes. The shortlist recognises players who have delivered exceptional performances on club rugby’s biggest stage - from decisive pool-stage moments to match-defining displays in the knockout rounds.

Supporters are invited to cast their vote and help crown the Investec Player of the Year 2026, with voting now live until Saturday, May 23 at 3:30pm (UK time). The winner will be announced following the Champions Cup final at Bilbao’s iconic San Mamés Stadium.

Russell, 33, currently leads the points scoring tally in this year’s competition with 75 and has guided Bath to the semi finals where they will face tournament favourites Bordeaux Bègles at the Atlantic Stadium Bordeaux Metropole next month. He will come up against trophy rivals Matthieu Jalibert and Louis Bielle-Biarrey in that contest with the record breaking France winger likely the front runner for the award this year.

The Scotland fly-half’s club teammate Alfie Barbeary earns his spot on the shortlist with three Investec Player of the Match awards already this year. The back rower has taken the competition by storm with his explosive ball carrying and is now being tipped by many to earn his first senior England cap during the next round of international Test matches.

Ireland captain Doris rounds off the shortlist after guiding Leinster to the semi finals where they will face Glasgow Warriors’ conquerors Toulon. The Dublin club beat Edinburgh at the Aviva Stadium in the Round of 16 and the 28-year old would become the fifth Irishman to pick up the award should he be named the winner.

Here are all the previous winners of the Investec Player of the Year award:

2025: Damian Penaud (Union Bordeaux Bègles) 2024: Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain) 2023: Gregory Alldritt (Stade Rochelais) 2022: Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby) 2021: Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain) 2020: Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs) 2019: Alex Goode (Saracens) 2018: Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92) 2017: Owen Farrell (Saracens) 2016: Maro Itoje (Saracens) 2015: Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne) 2014: Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon) 2013: Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon) 2012: Rob Kearney (Leinster Rugby) 2011: Sean O’Brien (Leinster Rugby) 2010: Ronan O’Gara (Munster Rugby)

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