Christian Wade named Aviva Premiership Rugby player of the month

A player who has explosive power, blistering speed and is a joy to watch has been named Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month for March 2017.

Christian Wade has been in stellar form for Wasps as they cemented their place at the top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table.

And the wing – who has scored 14 league tries this season – was rightly lauded by Rugby World Cup winner, Will Greenwood.

“Christian has been in sparkling form,” said Greenwood. “He scored one try against Worcester that very few people on the planet could score.”

Wade was judged by a panel of experts as the man who made the biggest impact in the League over the month. He was involved in a three-way battle for this month’s title, eventually beating fellow wing Chris Ashton and Exeter Chiefs’ back rower Don Armand to the prize.

Greenwood added: “Christian has a low centre of gravity, explosive power, blistering speed and is a joy to watch.

“The Wasps fans get a ‘deep breath’ moment every time he gets the ball. What follows normally has your jaw on the floor.”

Wade was voted for by a panel of media professionals based on his performances in November – Nick Mullins (BT Sport), Alastair Eykyn (BT Sport), Mick Cleary (The Daily Telegraph), Sarah Mockford (Rugby World), Jonny Fordham (The Sun), 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.
Wade wins a trophy and a £250 donation to the charity of his choice

Winners in the 2016-17 season
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)
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)