Six of England's Six Nations and Grand Slam-winning squad are among the nominations for 2016 European player of the year.

Saracens quartet Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, George Kruis and Billy Vunipola are joined by Harlequins back-row forward Jack Clifford and Wasps centre Elliot Daly on a 15-strong list.

Also nominated are the likes of Daly's Wasps colleagues Charles Piutau and George Smith, in addition to Exeter's prolific try-scoring number eight Thomas Waldrom, Northampton wing George North and Leicester's Vereniki Goneva.

Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell among six England stars nominated for the 2016 European player of the year

His club and country team-mate Maro Itoje (centre) is also nominated after starring in the Six Nations

EUROPEAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016 NOMINATIONS Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon) Dan Carter (Racing 92) Jack Clifford (Harlequins) Elliot Daly (Wasps) Owen Farrell (Saracens) Vereniki Goneva (Leicester Tigers) Guilhem Guirado (RC Toulon) Juan Imhoff (Racing 92) Maro Itoje (Saracens) George Kruis (Saracens) George North (Northampton Saints) Charles Piutau (Wasps) George Smith (Wasps) Billy Vunipola (Saracens) Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs) Click here to vote for your player Advertisement

The EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby) list is completed by Toulon's former England flanker and 2014 European player of the year Steffon Armitage, his club team-mate Guilhem Guirado, Racing 92's New Zealand World Cup winner Dan Carter and his Racing colleague Juan Imhoff.

The European Champions Cup semi-finals take place this weekend, with Wasps and Saracens clashing in Reading on Saturday, followed 24 hours later by Leicester facing Racing at Nottingham's City Ground.

The winner's identity will be revealed during next month's European finals weekend in Lyon.

Billy Vunipola, who was one of England's star players during the Six Nations, is also on the 15-man list