Beirne takes the top honour at Guinness PRO14 awards night
FORMER Scarlets favourite Tadhg Beirne last night won the Guinness PRO14 players’ player of the season for 2017/18.
The popular lock forward, who has since joined Munster, is also one of five Scarlets players in the team of the season: alongside Rob Evans, Aaron Shingler, Rhys Patchell and Hadleigh Parkes.
Wayne Pivac’s side were beaten finalists to Leinster in last season’s competition, with the Irish region also boasting five players in the XV.
There are no other representatives of Welsh regions in the side, but Cardiff Blues star Olly Robinson was awarded the ‘Tackle Machine’ prize, while ex-Dragons No.8 Ed Jackson was given the Chairman’s Award after his incredible journey from breaking his neck in a swimming pool accident to climbing Snowdon to raise money for charity.
Scarlets also walked away with the Fair Play Award after receiving just two yellow cards across the entire campaign. The ceremony took place at The Argyle Street Arches in Glasgow.
THE DREAM TEAM IN FULL:
Players are only eligible if they played at least nine times in the 2017/18 season
Forwards
1 Rob Evans – Scarlets
2 Torsten van Jaarsveld – Toyota Cheetahs
3 Andrew Porter – Leinster Rugby 4 Scott Fardy – Leinster Rugby 5 Tadhg Beirne – Scarlets
6 Aaron Shingler – Scarlets 7 Callum Gibbins – Glasgow Warriors (capt.)
8 Jack Conan – Leinster Rugby
Backs
9 John Cooney – Ulster Rugby 10 Rhys Patchell – Scarlets 11 James Lowe – Leinster Rugby 12 Hadleigh Parkes – Scarlets 13 Nick Grigg – Glasgow Warriors 14 Jordan Larmour – Leinster Rugby 15 Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby
THE AWARD WINNERS IN FULL: Guinness Players’ Player of the Season: Guinness PRO14 Coach of the Season: Honda Young Player of the Season:
Rugby) Scarlets Tadhg Beirne (Scarlets) Leo Cullen (Leinster Rugby) Jordan Larmour (Leinster
Guinness PRO14 Chairman’s Award: Gilbert Golden Boot Award:
Ed Jackson (Dragons) Fred Zeilinga (Toyota Cheetahs)
Guinness PRO14 Dream Team Captain:
Callum Gibbins (Glasgow Warriors)
Guinness PRO14 Top Try Scorer:
Barry Daly (Leinster Rugby)
Guinness PRO14 Tackle Machine:
Olly Robinson (Cardiff Blues) Giulio
Guinness PRO14 Ironman:
Bisegni (Zebre Rugby Club)
Specsavers FairPlay Award: