CHRIS HEWETT

Four rounds of knockout rugby and 109 days early, there it was: the longlist for the European Professional Club Rugby player of the year. Yes, really.
There is plainly something wrong with this premature outpouring of nominations – and before you ask, it has nothing to do with the continuing attachment of the word “European” to a tournament featuring teams based in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria.
Rather, it is the notion that any sensible judgement can be made on the basis of four pool matches. Which is why the custodians of these awards are prepared to make their list even lo...