Sam Davies salvaged some pride for the Welsh teams, but the Guinness Pro12 awards were an accurate gauge of the demise of regional rugby this season.
Despite the healthy signs of a bumper crowd of 65,000 for the Judgement Day matches, the on-field failings were reflected in the selection of Davies as the only Welsh player to make the composite team of the season.
The Ospreys fly-half also picked up the young player of the season award, but otherwise the prizes mirrored the results of an awful campaign for Welsh rugby.
No Welsh teams managed to make the top four play-offs and only the Scarlets will be in the European Champions Cup next season.
Three of the four regions have finished in the bottom half of the table. Nothing summed up the dire state of affairs more clearly than the celebratory tone from the Blues, who appeared delighted and satisfied to have nudged past the Ospreys to finish seventh.
At least Rhys Webb, the Ospreys stand-in skipper, gave a sounder indication of things when he admitted: “We’re bitterly disappointed finishing eighth in the league.
“That’s not what the Ospreys stand for. We’re used to winning titles and competing high in European competitions.
“We’re going to put a statement out there, we want to get out of our group and go on and try to win the Challenge Cup next season. We’re renowned for winning trophies in this club.”
Connacht – 500-1 outsiders for the title at the start of the season – had their superb campaign reflected in the awards as Bundee Aki and Pat Lam won the player and coach of the season honours.
The Irish province also dominated the Pro12 dream team with Aki among seven Connacht players named in the XV.
Connacht success continued with John Muldoon handed the chairman’s award.
The Connacht skipper, who has given 13 years of service to the Irish province, was presented with his award by Welsh great and Pro12 chairman Gerald Davies at the awards night in Dublin.
New Zealand-born centre Aki was joined by team-mates Matt Healy, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane in the Pro12’s team of the year.
Davies made sure it was not an embarrassing Welsh exclusion, by taking the No.10 spot.
The 22-year-old said: “I’m really pleased to be recognised for my efforts but it’s about the side as much as individuals and it’s brilliant to be included in the dream team.
“It’s been a tough season for us as a region, but we will learn from the experience and be back stronger than ever next term.”
Guinness Pro12 Award Winners
Player: Bundee Aki (Connacht)
Coach: Pat Lam (Connacht)
Young Player: Sam Davies (Ospreys)
Try: Tommy Seymour (Glasgow)
Fair Play: Ulster
Golden Boot: Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues)
Chairman’s Award: John Muldoon (Connacht)
The Guinness Pro 12 dream team, voted by a selected media panel from across Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, saw Connacht dominate the selections.
15: Isa Nacewa, Leinster, Captain
14: Matt Healy, Connacht
13: Bundee Aki, Connacht
12: Ben Te’o, Leinster
11: Craig Gilroy, Ulster
10: Sam Davies, Ospreys
9: Kieran Marmion, Connacht
1: Dennis Buckley, Connacht
2: Tom McCartney, Connacht
3: Finlay Bealham, Connacht
4: Leone Nakarawa, Glasgow Warriors
5: Ultane Dillane, Connacht
6: CJ Stander, Munster
7: Josh Van Der Flier, Leinster
8: Cornell du Preez, Edinburgh
