Northampton Saints have revealed that Alex Waller and Teimana Harrison will lead the side for the 2019/20 season.
The duo will co-captain the side following long-term captain Dylan Hartley’s decision to step aside from the role.
Both led the team at points during last
season while Hartley was absent and Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd admits
it was an easy decision to hand them the role.
“Teimana leads by example within our group and is respected by absolutely everybody throughout the club. He skippered the side superbly when called upon last season and I’m delighted to see him embrace this new role; he’s relishing the opportunity and understands the significance of representing this proud rugby community as co-captain of Northampton Saints. Alex and Teimana have now played in the same side for eight seasons and I’m sure their relationship will grow even further as they lead the squad together,” he said.
Despite Hartley’s injury woes over recent
seasons which has seen him miss a number of games and lose his place in the
England squad Boyd has confirmed that the hooker will continue to play a key
role at the club.
“After pretty much 10 years in a leadership capacity, Dylan Hartley decided to step away from the captain’s role this year – but he will continue to be a significant and influential member of our group. Dylan was responsible for Teimana coming over from New Zealand and pulling on a Northampton jersey in the first place, so I know he is seriously proud to now hand over this responsibility to him and to help him adapt to the job at hand,” he added.
The side are looking to build on a
successful campaign last year where they finished fourth in the Premiership,
won the Premiership Rugby Cup and made it to the knock-out stages of the
Challenge Cup.
They finish up their pre-season tomorrow
when they host Leinster at Franklin’s Gardens as they hope to end on a high.
