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Worcester Warriors’ Francois Hougaard has been named Aviva Premiership Play of the Month for March.
Scrum-half Francois Hougaard was instrumental in the Warriors becoming the only side in Aviva Premiership Rugby to win all four matches in the month, setting a new club Premiership record.
“I don’t think there has been a better mid-season signing than Francois,” said BT Sport’s Austin Healey, “and, while he would be the first to acknowledge his teammates, he was a vital ingredient to those victories as they secured their place in next season’s Aviva Premiership Rugby.
“There is always a risk associated with signing a player halfway through a season, but this was a superb piece of business by Dean Ryan.”
Hougaard made an incredible start to the month producing a man-of-the-match performance in the 15-14 victory at Newcastle Falcons – the Warriors’ first away success in Aviva Premiership Rugby for two years.
“Francois has had a huge influence on the side in a short space of time,” said Ryan after Hougaard recently signed a new permanent contract at the club.
Hougaard was involved in a three-way battle for this month’s title, eventually beating Saracens’ full-back Alex Goode and Northampton Saints’ back rower Teimana Harrison to the title.
Hougaard wins a trophy and a £250 donation to the charity of his choice.
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)
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)
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Heineken Rugby Club celebrates and rewards real supporters who make the game what it is.
