Openside flanker Rory Darge has been named as the McCrea Financial Services Warrior of the Month for January, emerging victorious from the closest poll this season to date to claim the award for the second time this campaign.

The 21-year-old earned 40% of the vote from the Warrior Nation to hold off the challenge of Sione Tuipulotu, in a head-to-head between the two most recent winners of the award.

It’s the third time in total that Darge has taken home the club’s monthly prize, a fact made all the more remarkable given the flanker is less than a year into his Glasgow Warriors career.

A superlative performance against the Ospreys at the start of January saw Darge make 103 metres with ball in hand, terrorising the Welsh side’s defence with ball in hand.

His display in defeats to Exeter and La Rochelle saw fans and pundits alike call for his inclusion in the Scotland squad for the 2022 Guinness Six Nations, calls that were duly answered when the North Berwick product was one of 11 Warriors selected in Gregor Townsend’s playing group.

No Glasgow player has won more turnovers than Darge so far in the URC this campaign, having stolen the ball on eight occasions to date.

Furthermore, Darge’s tally of 22 defenders beaten sees him sit second amongst Glasgow Warriors players in the URC, with only former Scotland U20 team-mate Rufus McLean ahead of him in the standings.

“I’m delighted to be voted as Warrior of the Month,” Darge told glasgowwarriors.org.

“It’s particularly special as it’s an award voted for by supporters, so it’s really nice to have the recognition from them. I’m sure that my family sharing and voting had an impact in a close contest, too!

“I’m loving my rugby at the moment. Glasgow is an awesome club to play with and I’m really enjoying this season with this group of players.

“Obviously we were disappointed with the last couple of Champions Cup games but we’re still in a really good place in the league, especially after the boys delivered the big win in Connacht last time out.

“I definitely feel like there’s still plenty to come from us this season.”

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