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Not-so-giant prop Biyi Alo to stay at Wasps
By Kim Ekin
Wasps have confirmed that not-so-giant prop Biyi Alo has extended his contract with the Coventry-based side.
At one time the heaviest player in the Gallagher Premiership, who tipped the scales at 143kg (22.5 stone), the 6'2 Alo has trimmed down to a relatively svelte 128kg.
"I’m about 128kgs now," Alo told RugbyPass last October. "The weight definitely helps in the dark arts of the scrum. You want to be heavy because sometimes some teams come out with nasty strategies where they try to isolate your hooker and loosehead on you, so the weight definitely does help when it comes to scrum time. I’d say I have got a good balance of it now.”
The 27-year-old fan favourite has featured 14 times already this campaign.
“We are buzzing that Biyi has agreed to extend his contract with us," said Wasps head coach Lee Blackett. “Biyi has put in some phenomenal performances this season, to cement his place as a regular at tighthead for us. This new contract is a great reward for all the hard effort he has put in to do that.
“Biyi’s personality is infectious, I can’t do anything other than smile when I see him, he’s a great character."
Alo put in an eye-catching performance against Leicester Tigers in January, before crossing for a try against Toulouse a week later. The tighthead prop also scored a 5-pointer in the recent encounter with Bath.
“I am really happy to have extended my time at Wasps. I really enjoy working with all the players and coaches to get better every day, it is a great environment to be a part of," said Alo. “I would like to say a big thank you to all the fans for their fantastic support this season at Coventry Building Society Arena."
The Loughborough University graduate is approaching his 50th career Premiership appearance, having joined Wasps initially as injury cover from Coventry Rugby during the 2018/19 campaign. Alo impressed during his short time to earn a permanent deal with the Club from the summer of 2019.
Alo came through the Saracens Academy and featured for the first-team during the 2015 campaign, before making the switch to Worcester Warriors where he made 30 appearances, scoring four tries. The London born prop also represented England at U18 and U20 levels.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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