Scottish Building Society Player of the Month nominees: October

Liam McConnell, Magnus Bradbury, Ewan Ashman, and D’arcy Rae are up for the award, having all started the season in standout form.

All four players have also seen their form rewarded with a place in Scotland’s squad to face USA in Saturday’s Quilter Autumn Nations series opener at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

VOTE NOW

The Scottish Building Society Player of the Month award is back for the 2025/26 season, and this time it comes with an exciting new initiative focused on giving back to the local rugby clubs that are the lifeblood of our sport.

Each month, the winning player won’t just receive personal recognition; they’ll also get the honour of directing a £500 donation from Scottish Building Society to a grassroots club aligned with Edinburgh Rugby. This fantastic contribution can be used for a cause or initiative important to that club: whether it’s funding essential new kit, upgrading vital training equipment, or helping to run a special community or member programme.

This collaboration is a brilliant way for both Scottish Building Society and Edinburgh Rugby to show appreciation for the incredible dedication of our local clubs. They play a pivotal role in developing the talented stars we see pulling on the Edinburgh jersey week in, week out – so keep an eye out on this month’s £500 donation!

Liam McConnell

Young back-row McConnell has been given a first run in the side at six, and has grabbed his opportunity with both hands, putting in consecutive impressive performances in the capital pack.

A nuisance around the park, with a work-rate that has been off the charts, McConnell has also come up trumps in vital moments, winning crucial turnovers, scoring his first try for the club, and being at the heart of his side’s best moments.

Chosen club: Forrester Rugby Club Minis

Magnus Bradbury

Big Maggie has led from the front since being handed captaincy, continuing his good form from last season, and earning a recall to the national team set up for the Autumn internationals.

Bradbury’s impact was typified by his barnstorming display against Benetton, where he earned Player of the Match in a performance that saw him score twice, and carry 20 times for 146 metres gained.

Chosen club: Forrester Rugby Club Minis

D’arcy Rae

The big tighthead has been in his best form for the capital, regularly providing big contributions to one of the league’s best performing set pieces. The capital currently has the fourth best scrum percentage in the league, with the fewest penalties against on opposition ball – stats that Rae has been pivotal to.

The prop has also added value around the park, achieving a 94% tackle success rate, and winning two turnovers in open play.

Chosen club: Forrester Rugby Club Minis

Ewan Ashman

British and Irish Lion hooker Ashman has been in stupendous form since arriving back from his summer with Scotland and the Lions. Ashman has always been known for his rollocking ball carrying, putting in massive shifts against Zebre and Munster in particular, but has also added new levels of set piece accuracy to his game, hitting his man 92% of the time so far this campaign.

Chosen club: Highland Rugby Club