PRO14’s Ultimate XV

PRO14’s Ultimate XV

Over the past few weeks, the Pro14 has been compiling a list of their Ultimate XV from the last 13 seasons as voted for by the fans, with two players going head-to-head and a winner being announced each day from June 30th.

The XV reached completion today (Monday), with the fullback position being locked in by Leinster's Isa Nacewa, who emerged as the fan-favourite fullback over former Glasgow Warrior Stuart Hogg.

The Ultimate XV selections features legends of the game.

PRO14 Ultimate XV:

1. Dave Kilcoyne





Kilcoyne has made over 180 appearances for his province but has been a relatively slow-burner on the international stage where he has stood in the shadows of Cian Healy and Jack McGrath. However, in the last 18 months his form has reinforced what all those fans in Thomond Park already knew, Kilcoyne is the real deal.

2. Ken Owens.




With 77 caps for Wales and a Lions tour in 2017, Owens has been a Dream Team inductee on three occasions (2009-10, 2016-17, 2018-19).

The Sheriff of Carmarthen wears his heart on his sleeve and in 248 appearances for the Scarlets. 

3. Adam Jones.



The curly-haired No 3, who locked down the Lions scrum in South Africa in 2009 and Australia in 2013, was a talisman for Wales, winning 95 caps, three Grand Slams and a Six Nations title. On a domestic level, he picked up four Pro12 titles with his beloved Ospreys over 11 years.

4. Paul O'Connell



O’Connell's list of achievements is dizzying; 108 Ireland caps, four World Cups and three Lions tours, where he captained the 2009 tourists and a key part of Ireland’s first Grand Slam-winning squad since 1948. 

5. Alun Wyn Jones

Alun has been named in a record six Dream Teams since 2006-07. 

His list of achievements after a stellar 14-year career is remarkable; four Pro12 titles with his beloved Ospreys, three Grand Slams, four World Cups, three Lions tours, where he has appeared in every Test against South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and 147 Tests caps - only Richie McCaw has played more.

6. Peter O'Mahony



O’Mahony has shown that unbreakable spirit in the red of Munster repeatedly, after 133 appearances for the province.

Hailing from Cork, O’Mahony has won 67 caps in an Ireland jersey and has also led the British & Irish Lions in 2017 in the First Test in Auckland.

7. Justin Tipuric



Blessed with the speed of a centre and handling ability of a fly-half, Tipuric, has won 76 caps for Wales. A tourist on two Lions tours, he recently showed he still has plenty left in the tank finishing a stunning length of the pitch score against England in the Six Nations.

8. Jamie Heaslip

Through his ultra-successful years at Leinster, Heaslip picked up three Heineken Cups and three PRO12 titles. A Lions tourist in 2009 and 2013, where he played in five Tests, Heaslip was consistency personified with Ireland where he picked up a 2009 Grand Slam and three Six Nations titles, along with being nominated for World Player of the Year in 2016. 

9. Ruan Pienaar

The son of Springbok full-back, Gysie Pienaar, Ruan scored close to a 1000 points for Ulster. On an international stage, his complete game appealed to successive Springbok coaches and he won 88 caps, which included being part of the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad. 

10. Ronan O'Gara

Famous for his quick wit, O'Gara has 128 Irish caps, including the never-to-be forgotten Grand Slam in 2009. He has made 250 caps for Munster and 2625 points.

11. Shane Williams

 

In 368 games for club and country, Shane Williams scored a remarkable 194 tries. On a domestic level, he won four Pro12 titles and is a two-time Grand Slam winner and Lions tourist.

12. Gordan D'Arcy

A star at age-grade level, D'Arcy gained 82 Irish caps over a 13-year period. He is able to play at both 12 and 13, and was Six Nations Player of the Tournament in 2004, a Lions call-up the year later and in South Africa in 2009.

13. Brian O'Driscoll





A Grand Slam, three Heineken Cups, three Pro12 title wins, three Six Nations player of the tournament titles and 131 Ireland caps (83 as captain), O’Driscoll is a player who will be talked about in reverential, hushed tones in the years to come.

14. Tommy Bowe

A son of Monaghan, for Ireland, in 69 appearances, Bowe scored a highly creditable 30 tries, leaving him tied with Keith Earls behind Brian O’Driscoll for top try-scorer of all-time. 

A star for both the Ospreys, in which he won two Pro12 titles, and his beloved Ulster, where he made nearly 170 appearances, the wildly popular flyer was of a high enough calibre to tour with the British & Irish Lions on two occasions, in 2009 and 2013, where he made five appearances as a Test starter.

15. Isa Nacewa

Nacewa was a nose in front of Stuart Hogg to lock down the final position in the all-time Dream XV. Nacewa spent eight seasons at Leinster, where he represented the province on 182 occasions in two spells.

Credit: Pro14

In this Article

Latest News