Four standout performers are in the running for the final McCrea Financial Services Warrior of the Month award for 2024/25, after a month that saw Glasgow Warriors continue their defence of the BKT United Rugby Championship title as well as showcase the next generation of talent.

A disappointing defeat away to Benetton was paired with an impressive win for the club’s U23 squad against the same opposition on the same weekend, whilst a youthful Glasgow Warriors squad produced an impressive performance despite defeat to Leinster on the last weekend of the regular season.

The club’s A team then gave a strong account of themselves while hosting Black Lion at Scotstoun, before Franco Smith’s squad overpowered the DHL Stormers at Scotstoun in the BKT URC quarter-finals to book their place in the final four.

Supporters can vote for their chosen winner on the official Glasgow Warriors X site until 5pm on Friday 6 June.

The nominees are:

Rory Darge

Openside flanker Darge continued to show his pedigree as one of the northern hemisphere’s premier back-rowers, catching the eye both with and without the ball across the month of May.

The 25-year-old beat 10 defenders with ball in hand against Benetton, equalling a league record for defenders beaten by a forward despite his side suffering defeat.

An all-action display then saw him claim Player of the Match honours in Friday night’s win over the DHL Stormers, scoring a try and making 24 tackles from 24 attempts to drive his side to victory.

Macenzzie Duncan

Academy back-rower Duncan was another to impress on his outings across May, the Clevedon RFC product giving a glimpse into the future in the club’s outings over the month.

A physical performance in Glasgow Warriors U23’s win over Benetton earned the flanker a first-ever senior start for the club, making 16 tackles in a dynamic display away to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.

Duncan then led from the front in attack and defence against Black Lion, before coming off the bench for the final 10 minutes against the DHL Stormers to make his first appearance in a knockout match in Glasgow colours.

Alex Samuel

Scotland second-rower Samuel continued his impressive form over the 2024/25 campaign, featuring in all of the club’s three BKT URC fixtures in May.

The former Madras man played a full 80 minutes in the engine room away to both Benetton and Leinster, the latter featuring a host of physical tackles as part of a resolute defensive effort.

Samuel was then at the heart of the action at Scotstoun last Friday, helping his side steal three Stormers lineouts in his hour on the field as the Warriors reached the semi-finals.

Kyle Rowe

A runner-up for the club’s McCrea Financial Services Player of the Season prize, Rowe’s electric form on the wing has continued as the BKT URC playoffs commenced.

It was Rowe’s line break and chip ahead that sparked the move that resulted in George Horne’s try at the Aviva Stadium, the winger showing his speed of thought in addition to his pace.

The Scotland winger then contributed two of Glasgow’s five tries in Friday night’s victory over the DHL Stormers, capping off an impressive all-round display in front of the Warrior Nation.