Monthly award for Waldrom

David Flatman has today revealed Exeter Chiefs' No.8 Thomas Waldrom as his Green Flag Forward of the Month for December.

Each month in the 2015-16 season, former England international Flatman will judge the league's best forwards, with the top performer being awarded the prize of Green Flag's Forward of the Month.

In December, Flats had a tough decision to make as he had to select one winner from four players in fine form for their clubs; Saracens' Billy Vunipola, Northampton Saints' Mike Haywood and Kieran Brookes, as well as Waldrom.

On each of the shortlisted players, Flats gave his reasons for their nomination:

Billy Vunipola, Saracens: "He's been dominant and aggressive, with high work rate for a guy of his size. He's responded well to various threats to his England number eight jersey in the best possible way."

Mike Haywood, Northampton Saints: "Having replaced Dylan Hartley, I love the way this guy plays, he just seems to do everything really well. It's how vocal he is and how much aggression he's putting in to each situation he's involved in."

Kieran Brookes, Northampton Saints: "He's gone from being a young, beefy looking England prospect to a potential England front line man in a season or two. His performance against Bath at the Rec was just fantastic, a potential coming of age performance."

Thomas Waldrom, Exeter Chiefs: "Although he hasn't played a lot this season, when he did get his shot he took it. You have to imagine how hard it is to not play and then finally get in the team and prove yourself to the coaches and your teammates and he has certainly done that."

Following analysis of each player's individual and team performances over the month of December, Flats awarded the Green Flag Forward of the Month for December to Exeter Chiefs' Thomas Waldrom.

On his selection, Flatman said: "There were some amazing individual performances to end the year with four players in great from at the breakdown for their clubs! But, there has to be a winner and this month I am awarding the prize to Exeter Chiefs' Thomas Waldrom.

"To wait for your chance and then finally break in to the team, it takes a lot of character and determination to prove to your teammates and coaches that you deserve to be included. This month Thomas has proven that he has what it takes to be a dominant forward for the Chiefs. Well done Thomas!"