Ah You Voted Connacht Player Of The Month

As he approaches his 100th appearance for Connacht, tighthead prop Rodney Ah You has been named the province’s Player of the Month for April in association with Hartmanns Jewellers and Seiko Watches.

Rodney Ah You, who was last year capped for Ireland against Argentina and then subsequently in the November games against Georgia and South Africa, was selected as one of three nominees by the Connacht management team for his consistent performances on the pitch and his hard work and commitment off it.

He was then applauded across social media where he won the majority of the votes from the Connacht Rugby supporters.

The 26-year-old, who joined Connacht in 2010 from Canterbury (NPC), is due to join the elite group of Connacht centurions when he lines out in Sunday’s European Champions Cup play-off game away to Gloucester. He has featured in the front row in 26 of Connacht’s 29 games so far this season.

Commenting on the award winner, Connacht assistant coach Dan McFarland said: “It’s fitting that Rodney will win his 100th cap as he is celebrated as Player of the Month. He has demonstrated over the last few months what a destructive scrummager he can be, whilst adding a consistency to his game that has been missing in the past. I’m just glad I retired before I ever had to lock horns with him!”

Richard Hartmann, director of Hartmann Jewellers, added: “Everyone at Hartmanns is delighted to present Rodney with his first Player of the Month award. He has become a regular starter in the number 3 shirt and has worked extremely hard for Connacht.

“There’s nothing better for supporters than seeing Rodney put in one of his monster hits on the opposition causing, at times, a big momentum shift in the game.

“We’d also like to congratulate him on achieving his 100th cap for Connacht. Rodney and his young family have made Galway and Connacht their home and it’s an important milestone that he should be very proud of reaching.”

Hartmanns of Galway are the leading store in the west of Ireland stocking a huge array of the world’s top watch and jewellery brands. They have been long-time supporters of Connacht Rugby.