Pro12: Four from SA in Dream Team
South Africa's influence in the Pro12 competition has been highlighted by the number of players from the Republic that made the competition's Dream Team.
No.8 Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors), flank CJ Stander (Munster), lock Franco van der Merwe (Ulster) and prop WP Nel (Edinburgh) all made the final cut.
The Ospreys slipped into the narrowest of leads at the top of the Pro12 table last Friday and the Welsh region can boast three players in this season's Pro12 Dream Team.
Before they were whisked away on international duty in February, halfbacks Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar ruled the roost in the Pro12.
Webb shot out into an early lead in the try-scoring table, while Biggar's unerring boot saw him set the standard for the competition's kickers.
Now they have returned to aid Ospreys' title push, Steve Tandy's side beating Glasgow Warriors 21-10 – Webb among the scorers – to go top of the pile heading into the final round.
They have been joined in the Dream Team by captain Alun Wyn Jones, just one of three players – Biggar and Scarlets fullback Liam Williams the other two – to retain their place in the Dream Team from last season.
The only man with more Pro12 tries this season than Webb is Ulster wing Craig Gilroy, who is one of three entrants from Belfast.
The other two come from a powerful Ulster pack, captain and hooker Rory Best joined in the Dream Team's tight five by influential South African second row Franco van der Merwe.
Munster – another side still well in the title hunt – make up two thirds of the back row, with the province's player of the season CJ Stander on the blindside.
He is joined by Tommy O'Donnell on the other flank, the 27-year-old enjoying a productive season in both the green of Ireland and the red of Munster.
Glasgow Warriors make up the top four, though they were knocked off top spot by Ospreys on Friday, and also boast three entrants – meaning this year's play-off quartet make up 11 of the 15 players selected.
Tommy Seymour takes his place on the right wing after another bright campaign, while Peter Horne is at inside centre.
Horne has shown his versatility this season, starting at full-back, fly-half and in the centres on various occasions, as well as regularly taking on kicking duties in the absence of Finn Russell and Duncan Weir.
And in the pack Josh Strauss takes the No.8 shirt, the South African going from strength to strength in his third season at Scotstoun.
There is another South African at tighthead in Edinburgh's WP Nel, while Connacht prop Denis Buckley is rewarded for an impressive campaign with the No.1 shirt.
His teammate Robbie Henshaw is at outside centre, the 21-year-old having established himself as a regular fixture in Ireland's midfield, while Wales international Liam Williams is again at fullback.
Pro12 Dream Team:
