Nominees revealed for McCrea Financial Services Warrior of the Month for January

Four players are in the running to be named McCrea Financial Services Warrior of the Month for January, following a month that saw Glasgow Warriors split the opening two matches of the 2020/21 1872 Cup.

Nominated by
Head Coach Danny Wilson and his coaching team, each member of the quartet has
been chosen based not only on their standout performances in the two meetings
with Edinburgh, but for their efforts in driving standards at training and
around the club.

Wilson’s men
opened the month – and the new year – with a narrow defeat at BT Murrayfield,
before last weekend’s nail-biting 23-22 victory over their cross-country rivals
at Scotstoun.

The Warrior
Nation have until 5pm on Thursday 28 January to cast their vote, and can do so through the form below.

The nominees
are:

Ross
Thompson

January 2021
will surely go down as one of the most memorable months in Ross Thompson’s life
to date, after a stratospheric start to his Glasgow Warriors career.

The
21-year-old fly-half came off the bench at BT Murrayfield to make his
professional debut, impressing in his short cameo and converting Lewis Bean’s
late try for his first points in a Glasgow shirt.

His first
start for the club a fortnight later then saw the FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy
product stamp his authority on one of rugby’s oldest rivalries, kicking 13
points and managing the game superbly to claim the Player of the Match award at
Scotstoun.

Richie
Gray

Having been
out of action since October due to injury, Richie Gray has made a barnstorming
return to Glasgow colours over the last month.

A dominant
display in the lineout saw Gray rule the roost at BT Murrayfield, wreaking
havoc on the Edinburgh throw with four line-out steals and a place in the
official Guinness PRO14 Team of the Round.

The 6’10
second-rower was a menace once again on Saturday night, charging down two
box-kicks and making life difficult for his Edinburgh counterparts at the
set-piece.

Huw Jones

The winner
of October’s Warrior of the Month award, Huw Jones continued his outstanding
attacking form in January’s two clashes with Edinburgh.

The
full-back currently sits third in the Guinness PRO14’s charts for defenders
beaten and clean breaks, having added to both tallies against the men from the
capital.

One such
break saw him evoke memories of the 2018 Calcutta Cup at BT Murrayfield, racing
from 22 to 22 and leaving Edinburgh defenders in his wake.

Ali Price

Playing all
bar three minutes of Glasgow’s matches in January, Ali Price’s game management
was a crucial element in Saturday’s victory over Edinburgh.

The
scrum-half’s canny tactical kicking allowed the Warriors to play in the right
areas of the field, whilst showing an excellent understanding with half-back
partner Thompson.

His control
around the breakdown was also noticeable in the lead-up to Glasgow’s opening
try, directing the pack into a position that allowed Matt Fagerson to
eventually add the finishing touch.

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