Waller targets head start over rival Corbisiero

Alex Waller wants to get a ‘rolling start’ ahead of his battle with incoming Saints prop Alex Corbisiero.

England loosehead Corbisiero will move to Northampton from London Irish this summer, replacing Soane Tonga’uiha who is heading to Racing Metro.

Waller is relishing the chance to fight it out for his club’s No.1 shirt with the new recruit, having battled with Tonga’uiha for the past few seasons.

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And the 22-year-old, who was man of the match in the win against Gloucester last weekend, is eager to keep the Tongan out of the team and show his worth before Corbisiero arrives.

“I really enjoyed the game against Gloucester,” said Waller, who is the reigning young player of the year at Saints.

“I want to play as much as I can but obviously Soane’s a fantastic player and he’s vastly experienced.

“I’m coming along, hopefully I can push him a bit more for the rest of the season and get a rolling start for next season, when Corbs comes.”

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Just as he gets rid of one huge obstacle, Waller will now face another big name in the fight for a starting spot.

But the Kettering-born prop isn’t fazed about facing up to Corbisiero.

“It’s fine,” he said. “Tough players make competition and competition makes you better.

“The England boys said he’s a good lad. I don’t know him personally, but I’m sure I’ll get to know him and we’ll just battle it out.”