The ‘Elite XV’ squad for the 2023/24 URC season showcases five representatives from Ireland’s provinces, of whom four are Irish nationals. This selection was achieved only after careful deliberation, involving a media vote and the requirement of at least nine game appearances, thereby excluding several of Leinster’s Irish international contingent.
The selected players include Munster’s Alex Nankivell, Jack Crowley and Tadhg Beirne, Ulster’s John Cooney, and Leinster’s Jordan Larmour. Their selection was notably overshadowed by the Vodacom Bulls, who yielded six players to the lineup.
In addition, Munster’s Shane Daly earned the Ironman award after playing 1,430 minutes in all 18 regular-season matches, missing only a brief 10 minutes due to a sin-bin offence. Throughout the URC league season, he was the only one from Ireland’s provinces to take the field in all 18 rounds.
In another noteworthy accolade, Jack Crowley ended the 2023/24 URC season as the ‘Next-Gen Player of the Season.’ The award recognises promising young players aged 23 or under at the beginning of the season. After playing a vital role in leading Munster to secure the stop spot with 97 points in the regular season table and scoring two tries across 12 URC games, Crowley was a clear choice. His accomplishment was further cemented by winning the URC Player of the Match award five times during the season.
The ‘Elite XV’ includes players such as Warrick Gelant of DHL Stormers, Sione Tuipulotu of Glasgow Warriors, and Kurt-Lee Arendse, Akker van der Merwe, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortjé, Elrigh Louw, and Cameron Hanekom all from Vodacom Bulls.