Charles Piutau named Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Month

Ugo Monye has described February’s Gallagher Premiership Rugby player of the month Charles Piutau as a “joy to watch” following the All Black’s starring role for the Bristol Bears in recent weeks.

The Bears won twice in February, against Northampton Saints and Worcester Warriors, and started March with a first derby win at Bath Rugby in 14 years.

Piutau was influential in all three matches and Monye said: “He has been excellent. Bristol’s game is predominantly based on attack and he is a key part of that.

“He has become a real leader in that backline and helps bring out the best in those around him.”

Piutau was the standout figure in Round 11, leading the way for carries (27) and defenders beaten (14) in the Bears’ 13-10 victory over Worcester.

He tops the overall Gallagher Premiership Rugby charts in both those categories as well as metres carried, where the 28-year-old’s tally of 1,180 puts him head and shoulders above the rest.

“Those are just world-class numbers – and he is a world class player,” said Monye, the BT Sport pundit, covering Gallagher Premiership Rugby, and Gallagher brand ambassador.

“He is a truly phenomenal player and he is a joy to watch – certainly one of my favourites.

“What I find so impressive is that this is his second spell in Gallagher Premiership Rugby and he keeps improving.

“He was exceptional at Wasps, had a great impact at Ulster and he has now returned even better.”

Monye went on to outline how Bristol’s young backs could learn from the mercurial full-back, who was capped 17 times for New Zealand between 2012 and 2015.

“I think day to day I would just want to sit down with him and understand how he has such an influence and how he gets involved in so many situations from his position at full-back,” he added.

“On a game day, I would look at the areas he goes into and the positions he takes up – you wouldn’t want to be far away from him.”

Piutau was presented with his award by Martyn Smith, Divisional Director of Gallagher in Bristol, where the insurance broker has a 60 strong team, part of its UK wide network of more than 70 offices.

Bristol Bears’ winning run in February helped them into a semi-final spot, and Monye believes there is plenty to be optimistic about at Ashton Gate.

“Pat Lam says top six is the target but I don’t believe him,” Monye, the former England and Lions wing said.

“Top four would be ahead of schedule but they have a real chance.

“The other really exciting thing for them is they are in a European Challenge Cup quarter-final.

“If Bristol can deliver silverware, it would be massive for the club and the area.”

Commenting on Piutau’s award, Gallagher’s Martyn Smith, said: “I was delighted to present this well-deserved accolade to Charles as he has played a leading role in the team’s results in the last month.

As a lifelong Bristol Bears’ fan their performance this year has been exceptional and they will be a formidable opponent over the rest of the season.” 

Piutau – as part of his prize for being named Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Month – wins a shirt signed by the whole Bristol Bears squad and framed by Gallagher to be gifted to a local club, school, community group or charity of his choice.

Piutau was judged by a panel of experts as the player who made the biggest impact in Gallagher Premiership Rugby over the month of February 2020.

He was involved in a three-way battle to win the award eventually beating team-mate Callum Sheedy and Wasps back-rower Jack Willis.

Piutau was voted for by a panel of media professionals based on his performances in February, alongside a public poll which drew more than 3,000 votes on the Premiership Rugby app. The judges were: Nick Mullins (BT Sport), Alastair Eykyn (BT Sport), Mick Cleary (The Daily Telegraph), Sarah Mockford (Rugby World), Jonny Fordham (The Sun), Jill Douglas (Broadcaster) Robert Kitson (The Guardian), 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 2019-20 season
February – Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears)
January – Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
December - Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby)
November – Tom O’Flaherty (Exeter Chiefs)

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
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)

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)