Alex Dombrandt press conference | Saracens v Harlequins

Skipper Alex Dombrandt spoke to the press ahead of facing Saracens at the StoneX on Saturday afternoon.

The Number 8 covered several topics including: 

• Form and impacting results 
• How his game has developed
• Embracing the pressures of captaincy and performing
• Experience in England alignment camp
• Match-up with 'good friend' Tom Willis

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:00

Alex, how are you doing?

SPEAKER_04 0:01

I'm well, thank you. I'm well.

SPEAKER_03 0:03

Good, good. Um, very quickly, then a couple for me. Um, Jason's just used the phrase actually fire in the belly, he's referring to next season, but there's definitely been some fire in the belly in the last couple of weeks. Um, you want to take that into the last two games, including what is always a big one on Saturday, right?

SPEAKER_04 0:20

Uh yeah, yeah, definitely. Um, no, I've been really pretty pleased with um how we've approached the last few weeks and um obviously got our rewards in terms of the results as well. So no, there's um a lot to play for for us internally in terms of these last two games and and how we want to finish the season. So yeah, massively excited about the next couple of weeks.

SPEAKER_03 0:41

And taking on two teams that have got plenty to play for, you know, starting with Sauris themselves. Um, does that actually help as a group that you you you're going up against the side that have really got to they've got to throw themselves straight at it as well?

SPEAKER_04 0:53

Yeah, definitely. I think um yeah, for them that if they they know they can't make any mistakes and and they've got to win their last two. Um, and Northampton will obviously want to build some momentum into the playoffs as well. So we know the the mindset of those two teams and and and how big a challenge though both those games were uh are gonna be. Um, but yeah, like I said, uh massively excited about sort of building on the last two performances and last two results and and see how far we can take our game over this sort of last couple of games.

SPEAKER_03 1:28

And just last one for me, really, in regards to you. Um it's no summer off for yourself though, uh, with uh with the the England Rick there call up. Um but that's great news, isn't it, really? I mean, you you you'll take that, you're looking forward to to having that summer, uh, even though it means you're still playing rugby.

SPEAKER_04 1:44

Uh well, yeah, we'll see. I mean, I still think there's um squads to be confirmed and and obviously still rugby to be played. But um, no, obviously I was in that sort of alignment camp, and um, yeah, it was good to be back in camp and be back um in and amongst it. And yeah, hopefully that's sort of a reward for my performances um of late. And yeah, for me, it's sort of just about you know, a similar message to the team, really put my best foot forward for these last couple of games, keep keep sort of growing individually, and yeah, obviously, if I do that, then hopefully I'll get um an opportunity this summer.

SPEAKER_03 2:19

Yeah, that'd be good. Good luck with that as well, and thank you for your time. I'll pass you on now.

SPEAKER_04 2:23

Thank you, Michael.

SPEAKER_01 2:27

Alex, hi Alex, how are you doing? Um, just a quick one on on last week. I mean, how is it a source of kind of um professional prize that you managed to get yourself back in front of them at least before the the squad's announcements?

SPEAKER_04 2:41

Sorry, what was that?

SPEAKER_01 2:42

Sorry. Was it a source of pride that you managed to get yourself back in the mix with England after missing out beforehand?

SPEAKER_04 2:50

Um, yeah, definitely. I think it's whenever you get selected in an England squad, you're you're always proud of that. And and like I said, I think it's uh reward for my performances of late. Um and yeah, I guess it's a it's a nod that you know we had um a few other lads in as well, which shows that you know the last few weeks we've been, or the last couple of months, you know, we've been pushing in the right direction. So um yeah, no, it's always proud. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 3:15

Is there anything that you've changed in your game since you were involved on that summer tour last year?

SPEAKER_04 3:22

Um, I mean, yeah, I'm always trying to improve my game and evolve my game. Um, I think sort of from a personal perspective, probably you know, the start of this season was a bit frustrating in terms of had a couple of uh like minor injuries, which sort of kept me out for uh two or three weeks at a time in close succession. So struggled to get um any sort of rhythm um with sort of my performances. And um, yeah, for me, when I'm playing at my best is when I can consistently play week in, week out and sort of build that momentum. So I've been able to do that, you know, this this sort of the second half of the season, which has been really pleasing from a personal point of view, and I think that's sort of led to to having some positive performances.

SPEAKER_01 4:04

And you were, I mean, you don't need any more motivation for going against Saracens.

SPEAKER_04 4:08

Uh look, it's it's it's always a big game, it's always a big challenge, and um, yeah, massive obviously respect for for Saracens and you know what they've achieved over the recent years, and um, yeah, no, look, we're massively excited for the challenge, and like I said, I think we're we're just excited about another opportunity to to put our game on the park and and you know, really finish the season strongly.

SPEAKER_01 4:33

Go on, mate.

SPEAKER_04 4:34

Cheers, thank you.

SPEAKER_00 4:36

Hi, Alex. Hi, mate. Um, Jason referenced it in his answer answer talking about um your sort of head-to-head with Tom Willis. I just wondered sort of how you compare yourself as players, the different styles that you bring at number eight, and how crucial that head-to-head could be to the outcome.

SPEAKER_04 4:54

Um, yeah, look, I think we're quite quite different um players. Um I think you know, you look at Tom, you look at you know, his strength in the ball carries, tight exchanges. I think he's probably one of the best at the number eights in the world in terms of his contact work and and beating defenders. Um, I'd probably say my super strength is is running lines off 10, my work in the wide channels, my offloading game, and things like that. So, I mean, ultimately rugby's you know pretty uh straightforward sport in terms of you got to win your collisions and and and things like that. But um, I think there's slight slight differences between our two games. Um, and in terms of the head-to-head, look, it's it's you always want to test yourself against the the best players, and and Tom is is right up there for me. Um, a good a good mate of mine when we're in England camp together, someone who I get on really well with. So I'm sure we'll catch up after the game. But look, I will that head-to-head have much bearing on the outcome of the game. Look, we'll have to wait and see. But um, for us, it's we've been driving the message of about the team this week. Um, so yeah, um, I'm sure if we put the performance in the game that we want to out in the park, then we'll get the result we want.

SPEAKER_00 6:07

And just lastly from me, I wondered if you were ever sort of concerned during your time out of out of sort of those international get-togethers that uh that it's harder to impress in a team that isn't having a great season. Was that ever a concern to you that that no matter you know, you don't get the same amount of ball, you don't get amount of the same same go forward, etc.? Is it is it harder to impress a team that isn't isn't performing as well as it could do?

SPEAKER_04 6:31

Um I'm not sure really. I think it's it's it's no secret that you know if your team performs well and your your team are fighting for top four and fighting for trophies, then you know, the the more likely that more of your squad are going to be in England camps and and up for selection. Um from a personal point of view, it's um like I said, I think I just come in each week and and try and put my best foot forward and try and play as well as I can to help the team. Um and yeah, I guess you know, first half of the season, we you know, we haven't performed the way we wanted to, but I think we've probably shown these last few weeks that we're starting to build some momentum and put our game onto the park and and hopefully we can finish this season strong and and build some sort of foundations going into next season. Cheers, Alex. Thank you, mate.

SPEAKER_02 7:24

Hi Alex. Hello, uh well done on the England call-up. Very well des very well deserved. Um, I was at that game in Cardiff when you played Bristol, and um I I mean you seem to have been um all all over the park that day. Was it did is sort of taken what's happened with Quinn's almost almost personally, Alex, and and sort of as captain determined to to be first out of the trenches and and get everyone behind you?

SPEAKER_04 7:52

Um yeah, look, I I think I said said a bit in that interview after that game, sort of around the outside noise and things like that. And um, but look, it it's part and parcel of the sport. Um, but yeah, I guess for for my job as as captain is to to help you know set the standard and and and drive the team forward. And look, ultimately, action speak louder than words, so I can sort of lead in a week around my messaging and and things like that. But you know, if if myself, if the core group of players, your senior players, play well, then more often than not, you know, the whole the whole team will follow. So for me, first and foremost, making sure that I can can consistently play well is is my aim.

SPEAKER_02 8:31

Yeah, because I mean you mentioned about you, you know, your strength, strengthened attack, how wide off 10 offloading, but your defence that day was was superb, you know, holding on a very good attacking team, not lot lot lots of jackaling. Is that something that that you consciously consciously worked on?

SPEAKER_04 8:48

Yeah, definitely. I know I think it's it's probably been that that area that has always been sort of my biggest, you know, sort of work on in terms of growing my game. Um, and I think I've just had uh done some good work this season in terms of around my mindset and my approach in the week to towards that side of the game. Um, and I felt that I've sort of reaped the the benefits there as well. So um, yeah, hopefully, like I said, can can show that that sort of all court game um in these last these last couple of games, and um, yeah, hopefully that will um be good for me moving forward.

SPEAKER_02 9:23

I mean obviously you you you have chats with with with with England uh in the last year when you when you haven't been in 23s. Have they sort of said anything that they they they're looking at you to do?

SPEAKER_04 9:34

Um yeah, look, I I won't go into details of it, but like there's there's always things that um England will want to see from me, and and they're very clear in terms of you know where I'm at and and how they see my game and how they see my game moving forward. Um so yeah, I'm very clear on what they want to see from me. And you know, for me, it's about how can I put that on the the park um in the next couple of games and and ultimately help help my team to to win games because that's going to be the best way to get notice.