Current Aviva Premiership Rugby leaders Harlequins lead the way in the shortlist with two players, full-back Mike Brown and captain Chris Robshaw.
Meanwhile Saracens, Leicester Tigers, Gloucester Rugby and Exeter Chiefs are also rewarded with players vying for one of rugby's top honours.
Leicester Tigers flanker Julian Salvi is the only non England qualified player on the list, joined by Saracens' centre Brad Barritt, Gloucester Rugby prop Nick Wood and Exeter Chiefs' flanker James Scaysbrook.
The shortlist was compiled by a panel of media professionals - Miles Harrison (Sky Sports), Alastair Eykyn (5Live), Mick Cleary (Daily Telegraph), Ian Stafford (Mail on Sunday), Nick Mullins (ESPN), David Rogers (Getty Images), Alan Pearey (Rugby World).
They were joined by Corin Palmer (Premiership Rugby's Head of Academies and Development) and Paul Morgan (Premiership Rugby's Communication Director) who chaired the panel.
"The panel has come up with an incredibly impressive shortlist, which reflects the strength of Aviva Premiership Rugby," said Premiership Rugby Chief Executive Mark McCafferty.
"It's great to see players who have emerged from our Academies in what is undoubtedly a world-class list of players.
"It will be a tough job picking the winner as clearly all six would be a worthy Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Year."
The winner will be announced on 8 May at the sold out Aviva Premiership Awards, at The Hilton, Park Lane.
The Awards night will be shown on ESPN.
