Rabbo-Direct 'Pro 12 Dream Team 2012 '

The Rabbo-Direct Pro 12 'Dream Team' for 2012 was officially announced today. A panel of 14 journalists from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales had been canvassed to select the team after 19 rounds. Currently 22 rounds have been played. The team which they came up with consists of four Scots, three Welshmen, three South Africans, an Englishman, a Kiwi, a Fijian and a certain 'Flying Dutchman'.

Visser top try scorer in 2012

Five of the fifteen selected  retained their place from last year's 'Dream Team'. Those players being Leinster Utility back Isa Nacewa, Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar, Cardiff Blues' Munster bound centre Casey Laulala, Leinster hooker Richardt Strauss and Edinburgh's 'Flying Dutchman' Tim Visser on the wing.

The latter, incredibly, has now been selected for the last three consecutive 'Dream Teams'...no mean feat when you consider he plays in a struggling team (in the Pro 12 at least).

Edinburgh, despite contesting a Heinken Cup Semi-final, only lie above struggling Italian side Aironi in the league. It hasn't stopped Visser though, as he has racked up twelve tries to leave himself three tries above his nearest rival, welsh wonder-kid Alex Cuthbert.

The big winger's try scoring feats have not gone un-noticed though and he will be looking to celebrate his selection with a call up to the Scottish national side, who he qualifies for on residency grounds this year. Perhaps he will be the final piece in the puzzle which solves Scotland's woes on attack. Stuart Hogg and Tim Visser as part of a back three has a nice ring to it doesn't it? Anyway...read on to find out who made the cut and who was unlucky to miss out!

Pro 12 Dream Team 2011/12

15. Isa Nacewa (Leinster), 14. Tim Visser (Edinburgh), 13. Casey Laulala (Cardiff Blues), 12. Ashley Beck (Ospreys), 11. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), 10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors), 9. Ruan Pienaar (Ulster), 8. Ben Morgan (Scarlets), 7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), 6. David Denton (Edinburgh), 5. Tom Ryder (Glasgow Warriors), 4. Dan Tuohy (Ulster, 3. BJ Botha (Munster), 2. Richardt Strauss (Leinster), 1. Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors)

Close but no cigar - Who missed the cut?

Simon Zebo has been a standout for Munster on the wing, scoring 7 tries this season (as well as some pretty memorable efforts in the Heineken Cup against the Northampton Saints). Arguably he missed out in the most competitive position of the team. Cuthbert and Visser deserve their spots.

Welsh fly half Dan Biggar has been the top points scorer in this year's campaign, but arguably hasn't served up the same brand of attacking rugby that has been seen from Glasgow's pivot Duncan Weir. The Warriors look to be building nicely and will be looking to challenge next year.

Toby Faletau has had a storming campaign in 2011/12 and has been a real star for the Dragons. He carried on his fabulous from from the World Cup and has consistently carried well, punching holes in the opposition defence from the back row. Arguably has form has tailed off from what we saw at the beginning of the season where he seemed almost unplayable. His performances warrant mention though.

Rob Kearney has been one of the exceptional players in the northern hemisphere this season. Tries, drop goals, searing breaks...you name it. He has done it all. Arguably though his best performances have come on the biggest stage; the Six Nations and Heineken Cup. Hence why he missed out on the full back spot to his classy team mate, Isa Nacewa, who normally moves to the wing to make way for the Irishman.

Stuart Hogg has had a breakthough year at Glasgow Warriors. Perhaps next year will be the time we see the best of him, but no one will forget his length of the field efforts and his recent hat-trick from centre against Munster. He has all the talent in the world and is sure to be one of the stars of world rugby in the years to come.

Is there anyone you think deserves to have made the team?