Voting for the cinch Player of the Month award for January is now open, with supporters able to choose the Saint they believe made the biggest contribution on the pitch across the month.
The competition will remain open for one week before the winning player is announced by Northampton Saints and cinch, with voting closing on Friday 23 February.
Throughout the season, cinch will also be offering up a range of prizes for those who vote for the award, with one lucky supporter each month selected at random after voting closes. For January, one lucky winner will receive a personalised signed Saints shirt from the winner of this month’s vote!
Northampton wrapped up the month at the top of the Gallagher Premiership table and the top of their Investec Champions Cup pool having won all four clashes in January – downing Exeter Chiefs, Aviron Bayonnais, Munster Rugby and Newcastle Falcons across the month.
With those clashes in mind, Saints’ coaches have selected four nominees for the monthly gong; Sam Graham, Rory Hutchinson, Courtney Lawes and Fin Smith.
Back row Graham featured in all four of Saints’ clashes in January, starting three of those matches as he made 33 carries, 46 tackles and hit some 56 attacking rucks – as well as scoring the match-winning try in Saints’ historic 23-26 win in Munster.
Scotland international Hutchinson started all four clashes last month as he brought up his 150th appearance in Black, Green and Gold, forming a key part of Saints’ attack as he hit 45 attacking rucks and scoring the match winner in one of Northampton’s six tries against Exeter.
Lawes continued his stellar run of form in a Saints shirt, scoring twice (against Bayonne and Newcastle) as he featured in three matches across January and performed strongly on either side of the ball as he hit 33 attacking rucks and 36 defensive ones – while also claiming the Player of the Match medal in Munster for his efforts.
Finally, Smith enjoyed an impressive month in Black, Green and Gold as he scored some 44 points from the tee in his three outings for Saints, including an all-important 16-point haul against Munster to secure Northampton a home Round of 16 clash in the Champions Cup knock-outs.
You can cast your vote below, but please note: only ONE vote per entrant will be counted.
