Rory Darge has been named as McCrea Financial Services Warrior of the Month for April, after narrowly edging out Johnny Matthews to take home the prize in a history-making month for Glasgow Warriors.

A hotly-contested poll saw Darge claim 41% of the public vote to take home the trophy, edging past hooker Matthews’ 38% share in one of the closest votes this season.

In a month that saw the club book its place in a first-ever European final by progressing through the knockout stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup, Darge was at the forefront in both attack and defence across each fixture.

The flanker enjoyed a run of 73 tackles with none missed during late March and the start of April, earning Defender of the Week honours on three consecutive occasions.

His break from deep in his own 22 also sparked the move that saw Huw Jones cross for a score against the Dragons later voted as the club’s Try of the Season, before finding a way over the whitewash himself in the Challenge Cup semi-final victory over the Scarlets.

“It means a lot, this award, because so many other boys played so well in April,” Darge told glasgowwarriors.org.

“To have the supporters voting for you makes it that much more special, because they’re with us every step of the way.

“It’d been a while since I’d had a full run-out at Scotstoun, so to have been able to play so many games at home in March and April was a great feeling. Just to be back out there playing my part in a few big games was a fantastic feeling.

“There’s a real buzz around the place this week, and everyone is putting their hand up for this weekend. Every away game we’ve had, we’ve seen amazing travelling support, so we’re so excited to have that with us again in Dublin on Friday night.”