Strokosch is named GP player of December

Alasdair Strokosch has been rewarded for some brilliant displays for Gloucester by being named Guinness Premiership player of the month for December. The Glaws flanker, signed from Edinburgh during the summer, has just agreed a two-year contract extension and has been involved in nine of Gloucester’s Premiership games this season.

The 24-year-old has one Scotland cap, but can expect more on his current form, which has made him a firm favourite with the Glaws fans.
Strokosch told the club website: “All I can say is that I am really shocked to win the award but really pleased at the same time. I have just been trying to fit in, play as well as I can and make a contribution for the team.
“Although it is great for me personally, I think it shows just how well we have played as a team so far this season and my aim is to keep doing as well as I can, starting on Friday against Bath.
“It has been a big learning experience for me since my move to Kingsholm but it is fantastic to have coaches and players that believe in my ability and I just want to go out and keep playing at a consistently high level and try and get even better because we are building something really special at the club.”
Coach Dean Ryan added: “It was a big gamble for him to leave what he knew in the summer and join us but he is the sort of player who embodies exactly what we are as a side.
“He is honest, hard working and is the reason guys like Ryan Lamb and Anthony Allen can play the sort of rugby they do. It is the effort he puts in that is so crucial to us and I am delighted he has been recognised in this way because it shows it does not go un-noticed.”
As part of the award Strokosch will be given the opportunity to select two schools in the local area to receive free kit from Gilbert Rugby.
The awards are selected by rugby journalists and this month they included Andrew Baldock of the Press Association, David Hands of The Times and Rob Wildman of the Daily Telegraph.