Northampton Saints roared into the Gallagher Premiership Rugby semi-final picture in February and one of the vital cogs in their march into the top three was centre Fraser Dingwall.
Under the leadership of director of rugby Phil Dowson Saints beat high-flying Sale Sharks 38-34 and backed that victory up a week later against fellow semi-final contenders, Gloucester Rugby in February.
Dingwall was instrumental in those high-scoring wins - scoring match-winning tries in both games - to leave the Saints third at the end of the month in the tightest battle in our history for a vital spot in the top four.
Saints’ director of rugby, Phil Dowson, said: “Fraser’s quality on the pitch is clear for all to see, but during February he also stepped up superbly as captain of the side and he’s a really important leader for us on matchday and throughout the week.
“He shows the way by example on the pitch; he's our defensive leader and makes brilliant reads and dominant shots, while also being a key cog in our attacking game as well.
“Fraser’s always been mature beyond his years, and always wants to get better – it’s easy to forget he’s still only 23 years old. As a Saints Academy graduate, we’re very proud to see him bring up 100 appearances for Northampton this weekend and no doubt he has many more ahead of him.”
Leicester Tigers No 9 Jasper Wiese was the runner-up in February with Gloucester Rugby's Santi Carreras third.
As part of his prize for being named Gallagher Player of the Month, Dingwall wins a shirt signed by the whole Northampton Saints squad and framed by Gallagher to gift to a charity of his choice, to help raise funds for its chosen cause.
Dingwall was voted for by a panel of media professionals based on his performances in February 2023, alongside a public poll on the Premiership Rugby app. The judges were: Nick Mullins (BT Sport), Alastair Eykyn (BT Sport), Alex Lowe (The Times) Hugh Godwin (I), Andrew Baldock (Press Association), John Everly (Bristol Post and Bath Chronicle) Jill Douglas (Broadcaster), Craig Swayne (The Good, The Bad and The Rugby), Chris Jones (BBC 5 Live), David Rogers (Getty Images) and Tom Hamilton (ESPN). The panel was chaired by Paul Morgan, Premiership Rugby's Communications Director.
Winners in the 2022-23 season
February - Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
January - Janse van Rensburg (London Irish)
December - Rob du Preez (Sale Sharks)
November - Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
October - Alex Goode (Saracens)
September – Theo McFarland (Saracens)
Winners in the 2021-22 season
March - George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons)
February – Freddie Burns (Leicester Tigers)
January - André Esterhuizen (Harlequins)
December – George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
November – Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
October – George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
September – Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)
Winners in the 2020-21 season
May – Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
April – Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)
March- Danny Care (Harlequins)
February – Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
January – Piers O’Conor (Bristol Bears)
December – Alfie Barbeary (Wasps)
November – Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
*Winners in the 2019-20 season
August – Jack Willis (Wasps)
May– Paul Hill and Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)*
April - Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
March – Jamal Ford-Robinson (Gloucester Rugby)
February – Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears)
January – Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
December - Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby)
November – Tom O’Flaherty (Exeter Chiefs)
* Gallagher ran public polls while play was suspended to nominate a ‘Community Player of the Month’ in recognition of inspiring off-pitch performances made by players during lockdown to support their local communities and boost the morale of the wider rugby community.
Winners in the 2018-19 season
April – Francois Hougaard (Worcester Warriors)
March – Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs)
February – Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints)
December – Cobus Reinach (Northampton Saints)#
November – Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)
October – Alex Goode (Saracens)
September – Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby)
Winners in the 2017-18 season
April – Vereniki Goneva (Newcastle Falcons)
March – Joe Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
February – Jack Willis (Wasps)
December – Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors)
November – Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester Rugby)
October – Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
September – Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Winners in the 2016-17 season
April – Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby)
March – Christian Wade (Wasps)
February – James Short (Exeter Chiefs)
December – Tom Varndell (Bristol Rugby)
November – Freddie Burns (Leicester Tigers)
October – Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
September – Jimmy Gopperth (Wasps)
Winners in the 2015-16 season
April – Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints)
March – Francois Hougaard (Worcester Warriors)
February – George Smith (Wasps)
January – Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs)
December – Maro Itoje (Saracens)
November – Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
October – Nick Evans (Harlequins)
Winners in the 2014-15 season
April – Joe Simpson (Wasps)
March – Elliot Daly (Wasps)
February – Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
January – Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
December – Samu Manoa (Northampton Saints)
November – Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs)#
October – Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)
September – Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
Winners in the 2013-14 season
April – Chris Ashton (Saracens)
March – Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks)
February – Vereniki Goneva (Leicester Tigers)
January – Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
December – Nick Easter (Harlequins)
November - George Ford (Bath Rugby)
October – Samu Manoa (Northampton Saints)
September – Jacques Burger (Saracens)
