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Northampton Saints to lose another legend at the end of the season
Northampton Saints’ record appearance holder in the professional era Alex Waller will retire from rugby at the end of the season.
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The prop has made 370 appearances to date for the club after making his debut in 2009, captaining the side between 2018 and 2021.
The 34-year-old scored the winning extra-time try against Saracens in the Premiership final in 2014, and will be after a second title this season with the Saints sat at the top of the Gallagher Premiership.
Waller joins a host of Northampton greats in leaving the club at the end of the season, with both Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam moving to France.
Across his career, Waller has represented England in uncapped matches against the Crusaders and against the Barbarians the year later. He also made his first appearances for the Barbarians last year against the World XV.
“It’s difficult to put into words what Northampton Saints means to me,” said Waller on his club’s website.
“I’ve been involved with the Club since I was 14 years old, it’s been a massive part of my life.
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“My time here has been amazing, and I wouldn’t change any of it. Staying a one-Club man is something I’m really proud of, and hopefully I’ve been able to give Saints supporters some fond memories over the years.”
“You always want to leave the shirt in a better place than you found it, and I would like to think I’ve added my own flavour to it. To be able to captain my boyhood club was a real highlight of my time here, and I’ve been so fortunate to play alongside some greats of the game and to have played so many games for this incredible Club – it has by far exceeded my expectations.
“I’ve loved going on the journey with my brother Ethan too, playing with and against him. I want to congratulate him on his career, we’re all really proud of what he’s achieved as a player.
“But for now there’s plenty of rugby still to be played this season, and hopefully some more good memories to make. The first season I was properly established within the squad was when we won the Premiership in 2014, so if we were to finish up on another high it would be pretty poetic.”
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Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson added: “Alex has been a constant at this Club since I joined; he started off as an Academy kid and he has matured into a real stalwart here, breaking records for his appearances.
“He’s grown up in this environment and spent what will feel like his whole life at the Club – he is a true Saints man in that respect.”
“I count him as a good friend, we have always had a laugh and had a relationship where we can be honest with each other. One of the things I was so grateful for when I came back as a coach, going from playing alongside people to coaching them, was that people like Alex were so open and positive with it.
“He is not only a very good player but more importantly a very good person. He cares about his teammates, he cares about this Club, he cares about the game. You can tell that in the way that he plays, and what he’s put himself through over the years.
“He’ll be a big miss for us as a squad and we’ll welcome him back any time. But most importantly, we wish him, and his family, all the best with what comes next.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
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