SIX IRISH PLAYERS HAVE been named in the RaboDirect Pro12 Dream Team. Ulster winger Andrew Trimble has been included on the left wing with five Irish forwards, including Munster-bound Robin Copeland, are named in the pack.
Copeland has enjoyed an outstanding season with Cardiff Blues and Munster supporters will be encouraged to see his form acknowledged by leading rugby journalists, who selected the ‘best of’ team. Other Munster inclusions are prop Dave Kilcoyne and New Zealander Casey Laulala.
Ulster’s retiring, yet physically imposing, South African lock Johann Muller is selected in the second row. Leinster have three players included, back rows Rhys Ruddock and Jordi Murphy, and hooker Sean Cronin.
The inclusion of six Irishmen and two Irish-based players is a big improvement on 2013 when only Ian Madigan and Luke Marshall featured, along with Pro12 player of the year Nick Williams [Ulster].
The team was selected by a media panel of three Irish, three Welsh, two Scottish and one Italian journalist. The RaboDirect Pro12 player of the year will be announced at the league’s awards dinner, in Edinburgh, on 11 May.
RaboDirect Pro12 Dream Team
15. Liam Williams (Scarlets)
14. Jeff Hassler (Ospreys)
13. Casey Laulala (Munster)
12. Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors)
11. Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
1. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster)
2. Sean Cronin (Leinster)
3. Samson Lee (Scarlets)
4. Johann Muller (Ulster) CAPTAIN
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
6. Rhys Ruddock (Leinster)
7. Jordi Murphy (Leinster)
8. Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues)
Do you agree with the journalists’ selection?
