LEINSTER’S FANTASTIC SEASON was reflected at the RaboDirect PRO12 awards last night, as the province claimed three awards.
Joe Schmidt was named Coach of the Year, while Jonathan Sexton won the Golden Boot and the team also received the SpecSavers Fair Play Award, receiving a £10,000 cheque for youth development as a result of this recognition.
Elsewhere, the team of the year was confirmed, while Tim Visser of Edinburgh was named Player of the Year, and Glasgow’s Stuart Hogg got the Young Player of the Year award.
Ospreys’ Shane Williams, who is set to retire at the end of the season, was given Chairman’s Award.
Finally, Welsh official Nigel Owens received the RaboDirect Straight Talking Award, for his uncompromising refereeing style.
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)
The winners in full:
Player’s Player of the Season: Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby)Young Player of the Season: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)
Coach of the Season: Joe Schmidt (Leinster Rugby)
Chairman’s Award: Shane Williams (Ospreys)
Rhino Golden Boot: Jonathan Sexton (Leinster Rugby)
Rhino Collision Kings: Glasgow Warriors
Specsavers Fair Play Award: Leinster Rugby
Rabodirect Straight Talking Award: Nigel Owens
