Cordero claims Player of the Month award

By Mark Stevens
10/4/19

Exeter Chiefs’ full-back Santiago Cordero was today acclaimed as a world-class player after being named Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Month for March 2019.

The Argentine full-back has been instrumental in the Chiefs’ rise to the top of the table and a key factor in their incredible season that has seen them book a home Gallagher Premiership Rugby semi-final.

A virtual ever-present in the Exeter starting line-up this season, the 25-year-old has not only helped himself to nine tries in the Premiership this season, but his fancy footwork has put him top of the charts in terms of defenders beaten (96) and is among the frontrunners for most metres made (1,178).

His performances have been singled out by pundits up and down the country, including former England and British Lions wing Ugo Monye, who said: “During the last month, his performances have contributed heavily to the Chiefs’ qualification for the Gallagher Premiership Rugby semi-final in record time. He has been at the heart of everything that they have done. No one has beaten more defenders and his ability to create tries and beat players is second to none.

“He is doing it every single week – he has contributed every single match. He can offload brilliantly; his footwork is great and he can take contact well. Every defender on the pitch is scared – they’re on their back heels when he has the ball.”

Cordero was presented with his award by Exeter Chiefs’ super-fan and Gallagher Community Hero Bob Crowe-Swords.

Bob was one of 24 Community Heroes chosen by new title partner, Gallagher, at the start of the 2018-19 season. Each of the heroes was nominated by their respective Gallagher Premiership Rugby teams for embodying the core values and spirit of rugby and using their energy, commitment and passion to protect and grow the game.

Cordero – as part of his prize for being named Gallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Month – wins 25 tickets to a future Exeter Chiefs match to be gifted to a local club, school or community group of his choice.

Cordero was voted for by a panel of media professionals based on his performances in March, alongside a public poll which drew more than 1,300 votes on the Premiership Rugby app. The judges were: Nick Mullins (BT Sport), Alastair Eykyn (BT Sport), Mick Cleary (The Daily Telegraph), Sarah Mockford (Rugby World), Jonny Fordham (The Sun), Robert Kitson (The Guardian), Chris Jones (BBC 5 Live), David Rogers (Getty Images) and Tom Hamilton (ESPN). The panel was chaired by Paul Morgan, Premiership Rugby's Communications Director.