Nathan Hughes was today acclaimed as a “sensational athlete” as he was named Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month for November.
The Wasps No.8 was in stunning form through the month as they went undefeated winning twice in the league and beating former European champions Leinster and Toulon in the Champions Cup.
Hughes, who was one of the two runners-up in October, beat off competition from teammate Charles Piutau and the Saracens duo of Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje.
BT Sport analyst Austin Healey believes that Hughes could also be just the boost English rugby needs as it emerges from the Rugby World Cup.
“English rugby is holding on for a new hero and when he qualifies next year Nathan Hughes could well be that star,” said Healey.
“He is central to everything that Wasps do and his statistics speak for themselves. By the end of November he had carried the ball more than any other player in Aviva Premiership Rugby with 72 and his clean breaks, metres, offloads and turnover numbers read like an NFL running back.
“He really is a sensational athlete and deserved winner of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month. As a proud Englishman I can’t wait to see him singing God Save The Queen in a white shirt.”