Chiefs trio on award shortlist

By Mark Stevens
4/4/19

Three Exeter Chiefs players have been named on a lengthy shortlist to be crowned the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Month for March.

Don Armand, Ollie Devoto and Santiago Cordero have all played integral parts in helping Rob Baxter’s side not only maintain their position at the top of the table, but also secure their place in the end of season play-offs with five rounds remaining.

With just a handful of matches left to play, there is still plenty to play for at both ends of the table.

It has been one of the most intriguing and competitive seasons to date and the excitement was evident throughout March, with a number of individuals standing out for their respective clubs, leading to a final shortlist of 16 being named:

• Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester Rugby)
• Don Armand (Exeter Chiefs)
• Tom Collins (Northampton Saints)
• Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs)
• Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
• Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs)
• Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons)
• Alex Goode (Saracens)
• Bryce Heem (Worcester Warriors)
• Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints)
• Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks)
• Ian Madigan (Bristol Bears)
• Cobus Reinach (Northampton Saints)
• Will Skelton (Saracens)
• Sonatane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons)
• Dan Thomas (Bristol Bears)

It is becoming harder than ever to pick one star performer each month, which is why we have opened the voting to the public on the official Premiership Rugby app this season.

The usual panel of nine judges remain - Nick Mullins (BT Sport), Alastair Eykyn (BT Sport), Mick Cleary (The Daily Telegraph), Sarah Mockford (Rugby World), Jonny Fordham (The Sun), Robert Kitson (The Guardian), Chris Jones (BBC 5 Live), David Rogers (Getty Images) and Tom Hamilton (ESPN) with Premiership Rugby Communications Director Paul Morgan acting as chair - but this season the public will act as a tenth judge.

Your vote and those from the other nine judges will then be tallied to reveal the winner each month.

Voting closes at 12pm tomorrow so to ensure your favourite player wins, get voting on the official Premiership Rugby app. Access the Polls section in the More menu tab and get voting!