Mako Vunipola named Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month

Saracens’ prop Mako Vunipola was hailed 'an unbelievable player’ as he was named Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month for October.

Vunipola has been in the form of his life in the Saracens front row carrying for almost 100 metres in his first seven Aviva Premiership Rugby matches, offloading four times and making an impressive 45 tackles.

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall said: “We're delighted that Mako has been named Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month.

“He's an unbelievable player for us; he is scrumming particularly well at the moment but his play around the field with and without the ball has been exceptional and his work rate in particular has been phenomenal.”

The 25 year-old was involved in a three-way battle for this month’s title, eventually beating team mate Jamie George and Northampton Saints No.8 Louis Picamoles to the title.

Vunipola was voted for by a panel of media professionals based on his performances in October – Nick Mullins (BT Sport), Alastair Eykyn (BT Sport), Mick Cleary (The Daily Telegraph), Steve James (The Sunday Telegraph), Sarah Mockford (Rugby World), Jill Douglas (ITV Sport), Chris Jones (BBC 5 Live), David Rogers (Getty Images) and Ben Coles (Planet Rugby). The panel was chaired by Paul Morgan, Premiership Rugby's Communications Director.
 
Vunipola wins a trophy and a £250 donation to the charity of his choice.

Winners in the 2016-17 season
October – Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
September – Jimmy Gopperth (Wasps)

Winners in the 2015-16 season
October – Nick Evans (Harlequins
November – Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
December – Maro Itoje (Saracens)
January – Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs)
February – George Smith (Wasps)
March – Francois Hougaard (Worcester Warriors)
April – Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints)
November – Nathan Hughes (Wasps)

Winners in the 2014-15 season
September – Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
October – Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)
November – Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs)
December – Samu Manoa (Northampton Saints)
January – Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
February – Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
March – Elliot Daly (Wasps)
April – Joe Simpson (Wasps)
 
Winners in the 2013-14 season
September – Jacques Burger (Saracens)
October – Samu Manoa (Northampton Saints)
November - George Ford (Bath Rugby)
December – Nick Easter (Harlequins)
January – Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
February – Vereniki Goneva (Leicester Tigers)
March – Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks)
April – Chris Ashton (Saracens)