Saints team-mates: Alex Waller
The prop has racked up 280 appearances since graduating from the Academy at Franklin's Gardens and, recent Achilles injury aside, is still going strong.
Here, Waller gives us his comedic take on his Saints team-mates...
Who is the best player you have played with at Saints?
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Hide AdI think it has to be the ‘Mu’. Samu (Manoa) was a freakish athlete, skillful and we all know the damage he did with his shoulders.
Who is the toughest?
In the current squad. (Ben) Franks, (Owen) Franks and (Tom) Wood. You don’t get to play as much as these lads have without being a tough son of a... That being said, these three are some of the grumpiest.
Who is the most skillful?
This is a tough one. Kahn (Fotuali'i) is definitely up there. I remember him training in some thinsulate wooly gloves in the winter still firing perfect passes about. I couldn’t have even caught a ball in those. I struggle enough with bare hands.
Who is the kitman's nightmare?
That’s got to be Kev (Buckby). He’s his own worse nightmare. Too busy chasing sheep rather than handing out kit. Usually a case of getting our woolly hats in June and vests in December. Which is helpful.
Who is the best dancer?
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Hide AdJamie Elliott, although I remember seeing the Pisi brothers loosening up on an away trip in Europe. But for consistency, Elliott takes it.
Who is the worst dresser?
He’s been taking a lot of heat in these. Hilly (Paul Hill) has the most uninterested approach to his fashion, but there’s a little respect there, he has no interest in what other people think. On the other hand, some of the effort in the get-ups Luther (Burrell) or Harry (Mallinder) have rocked up to work in baffles me. It’s just training lads, you’re impressing no one with the yeezys. Christian Day always looked like he was expecting a flood with his trouser lengths, too.
Who is the biggest drinker?
No question: Jimmy Wilson. Kahn could hold his own. If you’re after a giggle, (Phil) Dowson was always top value.
Who has had the worst chat?
Hutch (Rory Hutchinson) has awful chat, but it’s so bad it’s good. Gibbo (Jamie Gibson) too, but on a completely different vibe. He’ll defeat you with an unnecessary amount of detail, sucking all the energy out of you in the process. We call him the dementor.
Who is Mr Vain?
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Hide AdHarry (Mallinder) comes close, but for me it’s (James) Grayson. He changes next to me and the amount of times I’ve caught him taking a selfie pulling a pout makes me feel sick.
Who has had the best hairstyle?
Woody takes this for sheer variety. It would pain me to say one of the backs like (George) Furbank. He’s too good looking, he doesn’t need much more of an ego boost.
Who is the grumpiest?
Mentioned earlier. Ben Franks or Woody. Long meetings with those two are gold.
Who is the best singer?
No idea. There’s not much singing going on in the gym at the moment. But over my time Fodes (Ben Foden) has to take it.
Who has been the leader?
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Hide AdDyl (Dylan Hartley) by far has got to take this for me. Played a huge part in my career and development and his record speaks for itself
Who has been the coach's favourite?
Over my time here Lee Dickson was always worming his way into the coaches' office. We did have a competition when I first joined the club... first dropped had to bake the coaches a cake with ‘please start me’ iced on it. Nothing ever came of it, but we’re all bored in isolation so I thought I’d give this article a bit more length!