Alex Waller: Northampton Saints prop to retire at end of season

Northampton Saints prop Alex Waller is to retire at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old holds the record for the most appearances for the club, having played 370 games so far in 15 years at Franklin's Gardens.

Waller scored the extra-time try which won Saints their only league title in 2014 and captained them to victory in the 2019 Premiership Rugby Cup final.

"My time here has been amazing, and I wouldn't change any of it," Waller told the club website.

"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.

"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."

Waller - whose younger brother Ethan is also a Saints player - made two appearances for England Saxons in 2014 but never won a senior international cap.

Director of rugby Phil Dowson, who was a team-mate of Waller for six years, said he would be a "big miss" from the squad.

He added: "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 team-mates, 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."

Waller is the fourth Northampton forward who will leave the club at the end of the season, along with Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Lawes and Alex Moon.