Following a season where success was few and far between for most of Wales’ regions there have been some shining individual and team performances.

Ospreys’ wins in South Africa against Lions in Europe and Stormers, Cardiff’s demolition job of Dragons on Boxing Day, Scarlets’ win at Cardiff and Dragons’ performances in the Challenge Cup against Pau and Oyonnax.

Individually, there have also been some brilliant performances, be it Cameron Winnett in the red of Wales and for Cardiff, Ospreys’ Nicky Smith winning repeated scrum penalties against double World Cup winning tighthead Frans Malherbe or Tomi Lewis coming off the bench against Edinburgh and breaking at will.

Now, with the dust having settled on the season, Sportin Wales take a look at our combined regions team of the season.

Fullback – Cameron Winnett Cardiff Rugby

Winnett’s rise this season has been astronomical. Having played for Cardiff RFC last season he shone early doors for his region, earning a maiden Wales call-up for the Six Nations.

Consistently solid under the high ball and a potent threat in attack he just shades Ospreys’ Max Nagy who has been brilliant in attack this season particularly before dislocating his ankle in December.

Scarlets’ Ioan Nicholas is another who deserves a mention having become a safe pair of hands at the back towards the end of the season, enjoying a spell of consistency in the 15 shirt.

Right Wing – Rio Dyer Dragons 

The Dragons flyer has scored 7 tries for club and country this season including a brilliant late double against Oyannax in the Challenge Cup.

Has cemented his place as one of the first names on the teamsheet for Wales and deserves his place in this selection.

Scarlets’ Tomi Lewis has performed brilliantly in attack during the second half of the season and it was disappointing to see him limp off after a two-try performance against Dragons at Judgement Day.

Meanwhile, Luke Morgan has arguably had his best season in an Ospreys shirt scoring twice against Stormers during a consistent season.

Outside Centre – Owen Watkin Ospreys

There is a strong argument to be had for Mason Grady here, who in recent weeks showcased his defensive qualities in the 13 channel to go along with his clear physical attributes in attack.

However, we have opted for Watkin who has been Mr. Consistent defensively for Ospreys this season whether at 12 or 13.

Johnny Williams has been called upon to fill that berth by Scarlets this season and has performed well when arguably out of position whilst Dragons will be hoping Joe Westwood can continue his impressive start in a Dragons jersey into next season.

Inside Centre – Ben Thomas Cardiff Rugby

This season Thomas has benefitted from being number one choice for Cardiff at 12, creating an effective partnership with Tinus de Beer at 10.

Touted as a possible option for Wales at 10 by Warren Gatland he also impressed against Sharks in that position winning player of the match.

Eddie James looks like a good prospect for the future at Scarlets, with great hands along with his physical attributes whilst Keiran Williams has provided much needed go-forward in midfield at Ospreys.

Left Wing – Keelan Giles Ospreys

2023/24 has seen Giles return to his very best, scoring nine tries, many of which were opportunistic efforts whilst he also has the footwork to beat a man in a phonebooth.

Another position where Grady could possibly fill following his early season form but Giles at 26 is showcasing the form which resulted in a Wales call up only to have to pull out with injury.

Outside Half – Jack Walsh Ospreys

As always in Welsh rugby, this is a difficult selection to make. Ospreys have consistently rotated all three of their fly-halves, Scarlets have switched between Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd while Cardiff have been consistent in selecting Tinus de Beer.

However, Walsh has been a constant threat, whether he’s lined up at fullback or his preferred 10 shirt and we have opted for him and the threat he possesses.

Costelow has found it difficult to gain consistency with the trials of the World Cup, then injury and then a couple of HIA’s but showed his class in Scarlets’ win against Zebre and on Judgement Day against Dragons.

Scrum Half – Reuben Morgan-Williams Ospreys

First of all, an admission. Playing nine behind a pack on the front foot is always easier than not and that may have played its part here.

However, Morgan-Williams has taken his chance this season as Ospreys’ first choice and has been a constant running threat from the base, whilst his box kicking has also improved.

Tomos Williams’ early season form would have made him a shoe-in for the award before injury while Ellis Bevan has impressed in his absence earning a debut against the ‘Boks. Scarlets pair Kieran Hardy and Gareth Davies have struggled for consistency throughout the majority of the season but both finished strongly.

Loosehead Prop – Nicky Smith Ospreys

This has been one of the most hotly contested positions this season with Cardiff pairing Rhys Carré and Corey Domachowski going head-to-head with Smith and Gareth Thomas at Ospreys.

Whilst Carré’s performances have garnered headlines this season with eight tries, Smith has been a destructive presence up front, playing a key part in Ospreys’ win at Stormers, getting the better of double World Cup winning South African tighthead Frans Malherbe.

However, he remains out of favour in a Wales shirt. Left out in favour of Scarlets man Kemsley Mathias.

Hooker – Elliott Dee Dragons

Before this season in Welsh colours Dee has been somewhat of the bridesmaid and not the bride when it came to starts for the national side but things changed this season with his accurate throwing and work rate acknowledged during the Six Nations.

For his region he has also been very consistent, along with Cardiff’s Liam Belcher who is unlucky to miss out.

Ryan Elias has had some huge performances, particularly in the home loss to Lions, while both Sam Parry and Lewis Lloyd have performed well in Dewi Lake’s absence.

Tighthead Prop – Tom Botha Ospreys

Ospreys’ scrum has been a weapon for them this season, both in getting them out of trouble and as a platform for their attack and Botha is the cornerstone of this.

Fellow Osprey Rhys Henry has played his part in the scrum season with no shortage of flair as well whilst Cardiff’s Kieron Assiratti has fought off all-comers in securing his starting berth at Cardiff Arms Park.

Second Row – Alex Craig Scarlets

Craig’s player of the match display against Dragons on Judgement Day epitomised everything the Scot has given to his side this season.

Hard grunt, solid carrying along with a selection of lineout steals won him Scarlets’ player of the season award and, more importantly, a place on this list.

James Fender’s early season form would have surely earnt him a place but for injury while James Ratti deserves a mention particularly for his form in the second half of the season.

Second Row – Teddy Williams Cardiff

Amidst all the talk of Winnett, Lloyd and Martin, Williams has been another Cardiff youngster who has shone this season.

Against Bath in the Champions Cup he was one of the best players on the park and didn’t look out of place against Toulouse either and it is a huge shame he won’t be able to add to his two Wales caps this summer due to injury.

Adam Beard has been consistent throughout this season and deserves a mention for his role in Ospreys’ forward pack, whilst Scarlets’ Sam Lousi has been showing his normal blend of flair offloads and eye-catching carries.

Blindside Flanker – Alex Mann Cardiff

The former Wales U20s captain is another of Cardiff’s young revelations this season resulting in a first call up to the national side in the Six Nations.

His tough tackling and brilliant work rate have been a constant for Cardiff, whilst he is also a decent lineout option. Mann will face more competition next season at Cardiff with James Botham back from injury and Ben Donnell who has been impressive since signing.

Elsewhere, Teddy Leatherbarrow can be proud of his first season in a Scarlets shirt and will be missed in West Wales while Rhys Davies is another who’s promising season was cut short by injury.

Openside Flanker – Harri Deaves Ospreys

Deaves has featured at both six and seven this season, moving to blindside following the return of captain Justin Tipuric from injury but we have opted to put Deaves in the seven jersey ahead of his teammate.

The yellow scrum cap from Pontyclun has been superb this season, particularly against Sale in the Challenge Cup with turnovers galore.

Elsewhere, Dan Davis has been impressive towards the end of the season for Scarlets while Ellis Jenkins produced some eye-catching displays in his final season of professional rugby.

Number Eight – Morgan Morris Ospreys

No shocks here. Morris has been superb this season leading to the voices calling for his selection for Wales to become a clamour.

Others have performed well, in particular Aaron Wainwright for Dragons and Wales, while Mackenzie Martin is an exciting prospect.

Down West and Vaea Fifita has sparkled at times for Scarlets, but Morris takes it for his destructive ball carrying and key turnovers.