Northampton lock Alex Moon has set his sights on a 2023 World Cup spot after being inspired by Dave Ribbans and Alex Coles’ performances for England.
His teammates appeared for England at the Autumn Internationals.
Moon, 26, believes that, if he can surpass them at club level now, there’s a chance he could be in the squad for next years’ World Cup in France.
He said that Colesy has been playing great for the past year and a quarter, while Dave has done so for the past four years.”
“It allows you to know that selection is open. If you outperform the boys at the club the selectors will see that. It is possible to have a chance and it can lighten your fire a bit.
Moon played international rugby at the under-20 level, and was selected for England camp past without being offered a senior spot.
“Whenever I was at camp I didn’t get the chance to play. So you look at it, and say, “Oh, I’d like to be there right away, I wish that was me.”
“During the off-season I had a conversation with my girlfriend and family. We looked forward to the World Cup, and agreed that it was something we should strive for. Let’s all work together towards this goal.
“Being lighter allows me to do more work”
Moon made 85 appearances for Saints this season. Moon believes that losing weight has allowed him to be back at his best.
“Over the last few years, I was moving in the wrong way in terms of who I wanted to become.” “I got too caught up in being a heavy tighthead and I was playing at 128 kg and trying to become a Joe Launchbury and a Will Skelton, which is not my game,” he stated.
“I lost a stone. I am now the lightest I have been since 2019-2020. It has allowed me to do so much more work, and it has not affected the collision aspect of it. I thought I would lose it.
“Being a gamer has meant that my main focus was to “be fast”, move across the line out fast, get into mauls and rucks quick, which eliminates any over-thinking I used to do in games. It allows me to just play and go.
Northampton faces Gloucester at Kingsholm in Premiership action this Saturday
They are fourth on the table, but they have scored more points (260) than any other side except Saracens. Their 280 conceded points are the highest in league.
Moon however isn’t concerned about their spacious style.
“I am in the entertainment business at the end. People pay to see our product in action. He said that it was the same as being an actor or singer.”
“I don’t think we set out at week’s beginning to be the most entertaining team ever, we just set off to play our form because we know it works. And we do scrum and lineout because it works. Our D set-up also works and creates entertaining games.