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Paris - Lyon's England No 8 Carl Fearns has made the shortlist released on Tuesday for the French Top 14's Best Player of the 2016/17 season award.
Fearns is in the running for the accolade alongside Clermont's France centre Remi Lamerat and Victor Vito, the former All Black and double World Cup winner who plays for La Rochelle.
The winner will be announced in Paris on September 18.
Fearns enjoyed an outstanding campaign with Lyon, his eight tries in 19 matches making him his club's highest scorer.
The 28-year-old joined Lyon from Bath in 2015. He had intended to return to the English Premiership, signing a contract with Gloucester, but was persuaded to make a u-turn after his French employers went out of their way to ensure he stayed in France.
He signed a new three-year contract with Lyon, with Gloucester receiving "significant compensation" from Lyon.
Vito helped La Rochelle finish a surprise first in the Top 14's regulation season, with his team losing their subsequent semi-final to Toulon.
Lamerat was part of the Clermont side that clinched the Top 14 title and made it into the European Champions Cup final where he scored his side's opening try in their 28-17 defeat to Saracens.
