Waller working to steady Saints ship

NORTHAMPTON stalwart Alex Waller denies Saints have “been found out” despite a record run of 13 consecutive defeats.

- JON NEWCOMBE

Pre-lockdown, Saints were looking good for a shot at the play-offs, playing a brand of fast-and-loose rugby, but their fortunes plummeted after the season restarted in mid-August.

The malaise continued into the current season where their European hopes are already over two rounds in and they are rooted to the bottom of the Premiership table after three rounds.

“It’s so professional these days, even from when I started until now, with the amount of analysis and the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes,” said Saints’ co-captain Waller.

“But I wouldn’t say we have been found out by any stretch, I would say we are our own worst enemies at the moment; we tend to drop off at times when we need to apply pressure and vice-versa.

“For us, the message for us moving forward is consistency. Being consistent throughout those 80 minutes rather than have peaks and troughs that allow teams to come back in and gain momentum.