Dave Ward wins Gatorade Game Changer award

Dave Ward has been voted December's Gatorade Game Changer following his man-of-the-match display against Exeter in Big Game 6 at Twickenham on December 28.
As well as being a rock at the set piece, the Harlequins hooker managed 15 carries, 12 tackles, five defenders beaten and three turnovers to help his side claim a 22-6 win over the Chiefs.
In his second season at Quins, the 28-year-old has been in superb form recently taking over from the injured Joe Gray and Rob Buchanan in the last of the 11 games.
With his rivals nearing a return to action, the former Cornish Pirate hopes he has done enough to give Conor O'Shea selection headaches for the rest of the season.
“I had my opportunity following Joe and Rob's injuries but I hope I've shown Conor and the coaching staff what I can do,” he told The Rugby Paper.
“Joe is a Premiership winning hooker while, at his best, Rob is probably one of the best hooker in the country. We all vie for that No.2 shirt and it can only be good for the team.
“Scrummaging and throwing is vital in my position especially as we use the lineout a lot in our game. It's only then that I see how I can help the team in other aspects.
“I used to play openside in my youth so it helps but the style of rugby we play at Quins also helps a lot.”
Despite a 23-9 defeat at Northampton last Friday, Harlequins' recent form in the Premiership saw them return in the Top Four but they must now turn to the Heineken Cup and vital clash against Clermont.
With two defeats in their opening two games, it looked like Quins' European campaign would be cut short but back-to-back wins over Racing Metro in December means a win on Saturday against the French giants could see them be in control of pool 4.
“It doesn't come much bigger than playing a winner-takes-all Heineken Cup game against Clermont in front of a packed Stoop really. That's the kind of game we live for,” Ward added.
“They are a formidable side but we need to turn them over to have a chance of going through.
“We'll play in their faces whether in attack or defence to put them under huge pressure and see where it takes us.
“Northampton was a little blip last week but we've got a massive opportunity now to make up for it.”