One of the key factors behind Bath Rugby’s recent resurgence, Ollie Lawrence, has today been awarded the Gallagher Player of the Month crown for November 2022.
Lawrence has made a huge impact at the Recreation Ground since his move from Worcester Warriors in October, and recently signed a new long-term deal at the club. Lawrence’s impact has been highlighted by BT Sport pundit and Gallagher ambassador, Ugo Monye.
Monye says: “I think Ollie has been massive for Bath’s recent resurgence. He, alongside Ted Hill, has found this renewed energy, a spirit, a real fighting spirit and the quality of the performances that he’s been able to string together. That level of consistency has helped Bath win three on the bounce and narrowly losing to Harlequins a week ago, a game they could have easily won.
“I wasn’t surprised he was picked up after the demise of Worcester Warriors, and I’m thrilled that Ollie found employment through a club which really values him and looks after him and we’re getting to see the very best version of Ollie now.
“He’s a brilliant power athlete, very good with ball-in-hand, a great runner, physical, dynamic and fully deserving of the Gallagher Player of the Month."
Chris Howard (above with Ollie), Gallagher relationship lead for Bath Rugby presented the award to Ollie and said: “It is great to see Ollie making a real difference at Bath, after just a couple of months with the team and I am delighted to be able to present this award to him.
"He has consolidated his position as the league’s in-form centre whilst playing in the recent Gallagher Premiership Rugby games and the team at Bath must be delighted to have locked in the England centre to a long term deal. Well done to Ollie.”
Lawrence’s Bath team-mate, Ted Hill and Gloucester Rugby’s Val Rapava-Ruskin were the runners-up this month.
Lawrence has seven England caps and Monye believes he has the opportunity to add to that tally in the Six Nations adding: “If Ollie keeps this form up, the timing is so crucial because we’ve got a Six Nations ahead of us and he could force his way back into the England set up. He’s got a big opportunity now and he’ll remain focused on that.”
As part of his prize for being named Gallagher Player of the Month, Lawrence wins a shirt signed by the whole Bath Rugby squad and framed by Gallagher to gift to a charity of his choice, to help raise funds for its chosen cause. Ollie has chosen Mind, the mental health charity as his beneficiary.
Lawrence was voted for by a panel of media professionals based on his performances in November 2022, 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
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)
