Edinburgh’s magnificent six
● Capital side dominate Pro14 dream team despite missing out on final place
They may have suffered disappointment at the weekend when they fell at the semi-final stage of the interrupted 201920 Guinness Pro14 season but Edinburgh have dominated the league’s Dream Team with six inclusions in the XV.
Edinburgh lost 22-19 to Ulster at BT Murrayfield on Saturday, missing out on a chance to face Leinster in the Dublin final this weekend, but have been rewarded for their Conference B-topping performance over the course of a campaign truncated by the Covid -19 pandemic.
The capital contingent is split equally between forwards and backs with loosehead Pierre Schoeman making his second Dream Team in as many seasons. Fijian international Bill Mata, who picked up last year’s Players’ Player of the Season, is selected at No 8 while lock Grant Gilchrist, who made his 150th appearance for the club in the defeat by Ulster, is paired with Leinster’s Scott Fardy in the second-row.
In the backs, Blair Kinghorn, who also made the 2017-18 Dream Team, is selected at fullback. This year’s top try-scorer Duhan van der Mer we, is picked on the wing. The South African-born threequarter is now Scottish-qualified. Compatriot Jaco van der Walt, who will be eligible for Scotland in mid-novemb er and won the Golden Boot last year, is named as the side’s stand-off.
Ulster, Edinburgh’ s conqueror sat Murray field, supply just two players to the Dream Team, sc rum-half John Co oney and inside centre Stuart Mccloskey.
Le inst er, the favourites to win Saturday’s final on home turf, provide three: Fardy and flankers Max Deegan and Will Connors.
The team is completed by Benetton winger Monty Ioane, Cardiff Blues centre Rey LeeLo, Cheetahs hooker Joseph D web a and Dragons prop Leon Brown.
Today the Guinness Players’ P layer of the Season and Guinness Coach of the Season, for which Edinburgh coach Richard Cock er ill must be among the favourites, will be announced.
Media from all five countries as well as former players and coaches voted for the Dream Team. Players had to make a minimum of eight appearances during the campaign.