Search icon

Rugby

08th May 2016

Seven Connacht players, three Leinster make the Guinness Pro 12 Team of the Year

Conan Doherty

It’s been a pretty decent season for Connacht, hasn’t it?

Well, their unprecedented rise this year has been recognised even more with the 2016 Guinness Pro 12 Awards.

Seven of the western province’s players were included on the Dream Team of the league’s best performers throughout this campaign.

Three Leinster men also made up the composition with an Ulster and Munster player making a total of 12 men from the Irish provinces.

Screen Shot 2016-05-08 at 22.59.48

Three backs of Pat Lam’s slick outfit were put onto the team whilst the entire Connacht front row were honoured too along with Ultane Dillane.

Ben Te’o, Josh Van Der Flier and Isa Nacewa flew the Leinster flag.

It didn’t end there.

Bundee Aki, who has earned plaudits left right and centre for a sensational season, was awarded with the player of the year trophy.

Bundee Aki  from Connacht (Guinness Pro12 Player of the Year Award)  8/5/2016

And a players’ player of the year award too.

Bundee Aki wins the Guinness PRO12 players player of the season award 8/5/2015

If that wasn’t enough, manager Pat Lam deservedly clinched the coach of the year trophy whilst John Muldoon picked up the Chairman’s award.

Pat Lam  from Connacht  (Guinness Pro12 Coach of the Season Award)  Bundee Aki  from Connacht (Guinness Pro12 Player of the Year Award) and John Muldoon  from Connacht (Guinness Pro12 Chairmans Award)  8/5/2016

Connacht face Glasgow Warriors in the Pro 12 playoffs on Saturday 21 May after Leinster and Ulster’s showdown on May 20.

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10