Saints resign front-row duo Waller and Haywood

Northampton Saints have today announced that front-row duo Alex Waller and Mikey Haywood have re-signed with the club.

With a total of nearly 400 club caps between them, the duo, who graduated from Saints’ Academy, have put pen to paper to extend their time with the Saints.

???@MikeHaywood_2 and @alex_waller are staying at the Saints!

The Academy produced duo have both signed new deals with their only pro club ?? pic.twitter.com/u3g4pcYeDh

— Northampton Saints (@SaintsRugby) November 28, 2017

Chief Executive Mark Darbon said that today’s signings are a brilliant advert for the club’s Academy system.

“We’re very happy to have extended the contracts of two more Academy products in Alex and Mikey.

“We not only want to build a world class team but build that with a backbone of home grown talent.

“It’s a great testament to our Academy system and the two have been a huge part of the club’s success over the years. We’re very happy they have chosen to re-commit to the Saints.”

Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder echoed those sentiments, saying: “It’s been great to have seen the two of them develop into the players they are today.

“Both of them have played a large part in the club’s history so far and no doubt they are to be a big part of the club’s future.

“We’re delighted they’ve chosen to stay at Saints.”

Waller who has signed on until 2021, made his debut in 2009, has over 200 caps for the black, green and gold and holds the record for the most consecutive Aviva Premiership games with his league appearances dating back to the 2011/12 season opener.

Waller has also experienced international honours, earning two caps with England Saxons before touring New Zealand with the senior England side in summer of 2014 and featuring in a non-capped game against the Barbarians in 2015.

Haywood made his debut alongside Waller, in the opening game of the 2011/12 season against Gloucester and has signed to stay at the club until 2020.

Making his 150th appearance for the Saints on the turn of 2017 against the same side, the 26-year old hooker has not only helped the Saints lift both the Aviva Premiership and European Challenge Cup trophies in 2014 but was also named in the BT Sport Aviva Premiership Dream Team in 2016 before coming out as the side’s top try scorer last season.

Haywood has also experienced his fair share of international success, securing the Six Nations Grand Slam with England Under-20s before reaching the final of the IRB Junior World Championship that same year.