Players had to have made a minimum of nine appearances to be considered, with the media panel given a shortlist of 10 players per position, provided by URC StatMaster. The player with the most votes in each position earned a place in the team.
Since his remarkable breakout, James Hume has cemented his place as a leader in both defence and attack in Ulster’s back line. Possessing a knack for making clean breaks and beating defenders, Hume is equally adept at shutting down the opposition with his quick line speed and ferocious tackling.
The outside centre was directly involved in four tries (1 try, 3 assists) in the URC Quarter-Final victory over Munster last weekend, equalling Leinster’s Jordan Larmour. No other player has been involved in more tries in a single URC game this season.
The Belfast native caught the eye of Ireland Head Coach, Andy Farrell, and made his Ireland debut versus USA in July 2021, and made his first Guinness Six Nations appearance against Wales earlier this year.
Versatile back-rower, Nick Timoney has grown hugely into his role within the squad, and has become a key part of match-day teams each week. Having played Sevens rugby on the international stage, Timoney has devastating pace and physicality, and has become a real threat at the breakdown with his canny ability to poach opposition ball.
Timoney is currently Ulster’s top try-scorer in the URC with seven tries. He also tops the URC tackle charts with 260 made.
As a result of his barn-storming performances for Ulster, like James Hume, he earned his first senior XVs international cap for Ireland in July 2021 versus USA and was also part of the Ireland Six Nations squad this year.
Places in the Dream Team are the latest to be revealed as part of three weeks of URC Awards announcements.Next-Gen Star of the Season will be announced later this week before Vodacom Fans’ Player of the Season, the Loch Lomond Coach of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season are revealed in the build-up to the Grand Final.
URC Dream Team 1. Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) 2. Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) 3. Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks) 4. Jean Kleyn (Munster) 5. Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) 6. Marcell Coetzee (Vodacom Bulls) 7. Nick Timoney (Ulster) 8. Evan Roos (DHL Stormers) 9. Craig Casey (Munster) 10. Ross Byrne (Leinster) 11. Leolin Zas (DHL Stormers) 12. Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) 13. James Hume (Ulster) 14. Seabelo Senatla (DHL Stormers) 15. Warrick Gelant (DHL Stormers)
Places in the Dream Team are the latest to be revealed as part of three weeks of URC Awards announcements. Next-Gen Star of the Season will be announced later this week before Vodacom Fans’ Player of the Season, the Loch Lomond Coach of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season are revealed in the build-up to the Grand Final.
URC Award Winners List 2021-22
Tackle Machine: Alan O’Connor (Ulster)
Turnover King: Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
Gilbert Golden Boot: Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys)
Top Try Scorer: Leolin Zas (DHL Stormers)
Ironman: Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls)
Dream Team: Warrick Gelant (DHL Stormers), Seabelo Senatla (DHL Stormers), James Hume (Ulster), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Leolin Zas (DHL Stormers), Ross Byrne (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster); Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Marcell Coetzee (Vodacom Bulls), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers).