Jonny Wilkinson on European Player of the Year shortlist

Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is included in a five-strong shortlist for European Player of the Year.

The 2003 World Cup winner, 33, has helped take Toulon into Saturday's Heineken Cup final against Clermont Auvergne at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.

No other British players are included.

Three Clermont players - number eight Julien Bonnaire, centre Wesley Fofana and New Zealand wing Sitiveni Sivivatu - are also in contention, as is Leinster number eight Jamie Heaslip.

The winner of the prestigious award, which is given to the player adjudged to have been the best performer in this season's Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cups, will be announced shortly after the Heineken Cup final.

The inclusion of Heaslip, 29, comes despite the fact that last year's European champions Leinster failed to make the quarter-finals.

The Irish province face Stade Francais in the Amlin Challenge Cup final at their home ground, the RDS in Dublin, on Friday.

Fly-half Wilkinson has kicked 97 of the 231 points that have sent Toulon into Saturday's final against their French rivals.

His performances also led to calls for the retired England international to make the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia under Warren Gatland.

However, Wilkinson chose to prioritise his commitment to Toulon.

BBC Radio 5 live will have full commentary of the Heineken Cup final on Saturday from 17:00 BST