Ali Hepher appears to have joined Bedford.

By The Newshound
July 10 2002

Ali Hepher looks set to leave Saints and join Bedford Blues as a player/coach. His appearances were marred last season by injury and the rejuvenation of Paul Grayson. It should be remembered that Ali was an integral part of the 2000 European cup winning team.

27 year old Hepher's move to Bedford is as yet unconfirmed by the club but the news has leaked to Saints fans via the Bedford website.

Last season Ali Hepher looked a shadow of the player that Saints fans had grown to love. His left thigh was so heavily strapped it was twice the size of his other leg. The injury causing the strapping does not appear to be fully healed as the Bedford Blues website reports that their new player coach is recovering from a knee operation and will not be fit for the start of the season.

Ali's league record for the club included 372 points coming from 12 tries, 68 penalties, 48 conversions and 4 drop goals. Last season he made only 4 league starts, came on twice as a replacement and sat on the bench 4 times, scoring 18 points with 1 try, 3 penalties and 2 conversions.

Up until last season there was much debate as to who was better for Saints at fly half. Hepher always had an eye for a break and a strong 'show and go' that often fooled good defences but he was never as dependable with the boot as Grayson.

Hepher's skills also caught the eye of Clive Woodward at times as he earned many England A caps and was called to the full England squad during their tour of South Africa.

Ali Hepher's crowning moment as a Saints player must surely have been as the starting fly half in the 2000 European Cup Final victory against Munster at Twickenham.

He was not a fringe player but a genuine competitor with Paul Grayson for the Saints no.10 shirt. Quite often it was a case of 'horses for courses' Hepher the running fly half versus Larry the boot.

We wish Ali well for his move to Bedford and hope he has a successful coaching career.