DAN TUOHY IS the sole Irish player in this year’s RaboDirect Pro12 team of the year.
The team, voted for by a panel of 14 journalists from the four represented countries, includes five players based with Irish provinces.
However, despite the Leinster and Munster both occupying semi-final berths going into the final weekend, there was no room for any Irish player other than the Ulster stalwart.
Isa Nacewa is handed the fullback jersey for the second year in succession and the remaining players selected from these shores are South African: BJ Botha, Richardt Strauss and Ruan Pienaar.
While Pienaar’s selection at scrum half was no surprise, his partner at half back was. Glasgow’s Duncan Weir was chosen to fill the umber 10 jersey ahead of Ian Madigan who dictated the play of Leinster for much of the year.
Warriors
Weir is one of three Warriors, the dominant club of the selection, who also have prop Jon Welsh and second row Tom Ryder in the side.
Top try-scorer in the tournament, Tim Visser, received more votes than any other player and so, easily claimed a place on the wing. Inside him was selected Munster-bound, Casey Laulala.
Do you agree? Who would be on your Pro12 team of the year?
RaboDirect PRO12 Dream Team 2011/12: Isa Nacewa (Leinster), Tim Visser (Edinburgh), Casey Laulala (Cardiff Blues), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues); Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster):Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), BJ Botha (Munster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster), Tom Ryder (Glasgow Warriors), Dave Denton (Edinburgh), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ben Morgan (Scarlets)
