Alex sheds the pounds to cash in with Eddie

SLIMMED-DOWN and more mobile Harlequins No.8 Alex Dombrandt believes he is in tip-top condition for a New Year assault on winning his first England cap.

- NEALE HARVEY

Dombrandt, 23, was lampooned by club boss Paul Gustard for his ‘university rig’ when he emerged from Cardiff Met two years ago to take the Premiership by storm.

Nobody is laughing now, though, as dedicated Dombrandt explains how he has shed ten kilos – over a stone and-a-half in old money – in an effort to deliver world-class performances that could persuade Red Rose boss Eddie Jones to give him a Six Nations shot.

Dombrandt told The Rugby Paper: “It was a big wake-up call coming from university into a professional environment. But I have been working hard on my fitness, a big area I needed to work on and get up to speed in the professional game.

“I’ve lost weight I needed to lose and I feel comfortable now and am working hard on my fitness to be able to stay involved in games.

“I was 127kg (20st) at my first training day, which is quite heavy, and now I’m sitting at 117kg (18st 4lbs) which is where I feel most effective.