Irish provinces make major mark on Pro12 Dream Team

Munster back-row duo CJ Stander and Tommy O’Donnell are among a seven-strong contingent from the Irish provinces to have been voted onto the Guinness Pro12 Dream Team for this season but there is no representation from outgoing champions Leinster.

Ulster wing and league top try scorer Craig Gilroy, hooker Rory Best, lock Franco van der Merwe and Connacht centre Robbie Henshaw and loosehead prop Denis Buckley all made the side selected by 11 journalists from the four competing nations in the Pro12, including the Irish Examiner.

There are three players apiece from Ulster and Munster’s fellow play-off contenders Ospreys (half-backs Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb, lock Alun Wyn Jones) and Glasgow (backs Tommy Seymour and Peter Horne and No.8 Josh Strauss) with Scarlets full-back Liam Williams and Edinburgh tighthead WP Nel making up the XV.