Saracens' Maro Itoje has been crowned the Premiership's Player of the Month for December, beating clubmate Owen Farrell to the gong.

The 21-year-old lock played 80 minutes in victories over Newcastle Falcons and Wasps, helping Mark McCall's side maintain their unbeaten start to their Premiership title defence.

Itoje was selected as the winner by a panel which was comprised of former England international Austin Healey and a number of media professionals.

He beat Wasps' Elliot Daly and Exeter Chiefs' Thomas Waldrom to the award.

Healey said: This month's Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month has shown a maturity on the field way beyond his years all season.

"But it is not just his temperament that makes Maro Itoje stand out as a definite England second row of the future - he possesses great physical attributes and more importantly amazing technique.

"When carrying his hands and timing are excellent, when tackling he is strong and rarely misses, but for me it is at the breakdown where he is best.

"He has good special awareness in the rucks and often finds a way to bounce to his feet and stay deep in the ruck, therefore using his feet to disrupt possession.

"He will play for England, the big question is will he be Eddie Jones' captain."