Saints try hero Tuala spreading happiness on and off the field

The affable Samoan, known fondly as Ace, and his wife, Ashley, have set up a clothing brand.

Tuala explained: "My wife and I - my wife did pretty much all of the work! - set up a clothing line and it's called The Best You.

"It's more about the message rather than the clothing.

"With mental health awareness, we just wanted everyone to be confident and happy in themselves and just enjoy their life.

"It's about not comparing yourself to anyone else and just being the best you.

"I'm just real grateful and I always like to have a smile on my face."

Tuala certainly does always have a smile on his face.

In fact, it's his default setting.

And he says events off the field influenced the clothing business he and his wife have created.

"My wife was affected back at home with a family member who took his life and we just wanted to get a simple message across to reach out to anyone who needs help," Tuala said.

"She's done a real great job with it and I'm really proud of her.

"We spoke about it before lockdown but it wasn't until then that we had time to sit down and go through everything.

"We put a plan together and we executed it and we've put out some nice clothing.

"It's been all good from there."

Tuala was his best self last Saturday as he sprinted down the right wing and beat two defenders before performing a spectacular finish to bag a bonus-point success for Saints at London Irish.

It was a stunning try from the Samoan, who has made a habit of acrobatic efforts over the years.

"It was pretty much the last play and I looked over to Grays (James Grayson) and he gave me an eyebrow raise so I had a feeling we were going right," Tuala explained.

"Furbs (George Furbank) gave me the bird call, which is a little thing we have with the backs, and Grays gave me a flipping nice ball and I was just off to the races after that.

"I didn't know what the last guy was doing but I knew I was in front of him a bit so I just pinned my ears back and took his outside.

"I just managed to roll around at the end.

"I scored one of those on my debut against Wasps and also in a Prem game against them and I don't know if it's practice but we just like to joke around in training.

"We run around on the pads and do a bit of diving and stuff with the boys.

"I watch a bit of NRL (National Rugby League) and I see the wingers on there doing it. They're real acrobatic and flying around so I thought I'd just try my luck and see what I could do in the corner.

"Denny Solomona at Sale does it really well, he's a real pro at it and it's pretty cool."

And Tuala's acrobatics also had echoes of another Samoan Saint, George Pisi.

The former centre was an expert as creative finishing, and Tuala said: "Dicko (former Saints coach Alan Dickens) messaged me after the game and said I was trying to imitate George Pisi.

"So I might have to send that video to George and see what he says about it."

On the subject of Pisi, it seemed only right to get an update on the whereabouts of Saints' double-winning centre and his brother, another popular former Northampton back, Ken.

"They're back at home (in New Zealand)," Tuala said.

"I keep in touch with Kenny mostly - he sends me a message now and then.

"George is back at home as well and they're just doing a bit of work back at home.

"They're loving life.

"Obviously they haven't been back to Northampton for a while but their kids pretty much grew up here so it was good for them to take them back to New Zealand and see all their family.

"Home for them is New Zealand.

"I don't think they're playing yet, I think they're just away from rugby and trying to enjoy their life and they are well.

"I think Kenny is doing a bit of driving, a bit of a courier job, and George is in the scaffolding business.

"I'm not too sure if they're still doing it, but that was the last I heard from them."

While the Pisis left Saints and the rugby arena, Tuala is very much still making his presence felt.

The versatile back continues to be a coaches' favourite for his on-field abilities and his off-field personality.

And Tuala is loving being back in Gallagher Premiership action.

"It's been good," said the 31-year-old.

"It's quite different because we're kind of split up into two teams at the moment because of the block of games we've got.

"The buzz is still the same throughout the whole squad and the boys were just excited to get back and play a bit of footy.

"Lockdown was pretty tough on the boys because some of them hadn't had a break as long as that and it's great to be back.

"We want to get some good footy for the club and the fans."

With Tuala enjoying a special Saturday at The Stoop last weekend, he doesn't have to wait too long to return.

Saints go back there on Sunday to face Harlequins.

And he said: "It would be interesting to be at The Stoop twice and it would be pretty cool.

"I'll take any opportunity I get to wear the jersey and do it in the best way I can.

"I'm sure all the boys are the same and we're definitely looking forward to the games this week.

"When Sunday comes around, the boys will be rocking ready to face Quins away."

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