Tales from the Members' Bar

No. 2 Alex  Rae

When Alex arrived at Saints he arrived in the package deal that liberated four bright young stars from the Worcester Academy. Jim Percival and Dylan Hartley took most of the headlines at the time which probably goes to show that if you are blond, you are more than half-way to being noticed. It was strange really, because it was Alex who had had solid achievement in England age-group rugby. He had already been in the England Clubs Under 18 team, played in the semi-final of the Under 19 World Cup [We should have won that!].

In the following season, he was an Under 21 squad member with a couple of replacement appearances in England's grand slam. As he got ready to step up into the senior role, the IRB reorganised the age groupings. Under 20 was the new Under 21 and Alex no longer qualified. He has massive respect for the coaches he encountered in those days with particular mentions for Nigel Redman and a pair called Mallinder and West.

A Coventry lad, Alex was at Coundon Court a couple of years behind Jim Hamilton. His early years in junior club rugby were spent at Barkers Butts. At approximately the same level of the pyramid as Old Scouts and BBOB, Barkers Butts has a proud record as a nursery for players that go one to achieve international honours. He may not be to our taste but one of that alumni to whom Alex pays maximum respect is Danny Grewcock.

Since coming to Northampton Alex has had a solid grounding in playing for the Wanderers for two years before stepping up this year. If you are one of those that think he has risen without trace, it is probably because, last season, he managed to play only four matches at home.

When we spoke about his rise to first team regular, the smile he beamed and his incredulous look said that he has to pinch himself occasionally to make sure that it is not all a dream. He is grateful for his opportunities and realises that that if he falls from the high standards he and the coaches set for him, there is plenty of competition eager to make a grab for that starting spot.

His man of the match award against Moseley was a bit of a surprise for him. He was not sure that he had played all that well. When it was pointed out that he appeared in a remarkably high proportion of the action shots from the game - including tracking Sharky's long-range effort at the death - he was suitably modest. One photograph he would happily forget about and never see again would be Richard Slater's effort (#37) from the Bees match. He was at a loss to know how he managed to get over the line but not the ball. Finishing more like Ben Kay than Chris Ashton, Alex seems destined not to top this season's try-scoring charts.

arw

8.11.2007

Addendum

Telling Tales

More from the Members' Bar on Saints' Media Briefing Day

I will leave you to wonder how the phrase: "Steve Diamond getting his saveloy in the Weedon Road chippy," found its way into the conversation but it did. Many will think it a horrible thought.

I had introduced the concept of the Weedon Road chippy a bit earlier and explained that, for all its rapid growth, Northampton is still essentially a small town. It is tight knit. People know people and nothing around these parts remains secret for long.

Not mentioning Morocco Mole by name or even Nom de guerre, I broached the subject that has been hot on these boards. Have there been, are there any, when will there be changes in management structure at Northampton Saints? The smile and the shake of the head indicated that while the next comment may not be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, it was not going to be a lie, a damned lie nor a statistic either. "What did I mean by that?"

People have been seen. [For instance, I had seen Jim with John Mitchell at the Wanderers' match at Henley. No rumours resulted from that but...] A former colleague from Sale has been seen in or around the ground. "Many people, recognisable people, come to watch rugby here."

On essentially a no news day, I discovered that there was no news about Johann Van Niekirk. Yes, he has a contract. No, he has not been in contact. No, he was not the one ordering a biltong fritter. No, I have not spoken to him. Is he? Who says he is in England? No, our people are not talking to his people.

It is a funny old business if you ask me.

Today's ...and finally... is not the sort of happy smiley ending associated with News at Ten. Monty is in a bad way. We were not in the presence of Cliff Eaton or any of the medical staff so specifics about diagnosis and prognosis were nothing but sketchy. It will be of scant relief to Sean that when I bust my anterior cruciate ligament, I was told that I was too old to be recommended for a repair but he is not. There is also thought to be some serious damage to his medial ligament, too.

With thanks to Henry Gray and Bartelby.com

Front of the knee, Rear of the knee and the Interior of the knee (without the kneecap).

Without knowing an awful lot about Sean's injury, we know that Bruce Reihana was out for over four months for something similar and that was considered a quick return. Bearing in mind the recovery time for Paul Gascoigne's infamous Cup Final injury, we can all be grateful that the surgical science has progressed. It will be a long haul. We wish you God's speed, Sean.

arw

8.11.2007

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