Daily Mirror

WALLER: SAINT NO WAY WE CAN SLIP UP AGAIN

- BY ALEX SPINK

Newcastle v Northampto­n KO, 7.45pm

ALEX WALLER scored the try that won Northampto­n their only Premiershi­p title and is urging his team to keep their eyes on the prize tonight.

Nine years after his last-gasp score (being celebrated top left) decided the final at Twickenham, Saints go to Newcastle needing to win their last game to keep alive hopes of a top-four finish.

Phil Dowson’s side has won only once away from home in the league all season and prop Waller (top right) says it is time they delivered.

“The potential and talent in this squad is unbelievab­le,” he said.

“But we’ve had that for two or three years now. The time for potential needs to stop now. We need to start acting on it.

“We’re seeing it in parts, our issue is being consistent throughout games, and I include myself in all of this. Putting our game on pitch consistent­ly for 80 minutes.

“At times we can be absolutely electric and teams can’t live with us. Then we switch off. And that’s when we get punished.”

Northampto­n have reached three semi-finals since their 2014 titlewinni­ng season.

“If you told me that would be the case when we won at Twickenham I’d have been disappoint­ed but the journey for me is one I wouldn’t change,” added Waller, who has racked up 350 games and last week signed a new contract.

“I think I’m a better person for it, but I’d like a few more medals, a few more trophies and a few more beers.”

■ ENGLAND wing Jack Nowell has been fined £10,000 by the Rugby Football Union for criticisin­g a refereeing decision on Twitter.

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