Meet JJ van der Mescht, the 6ft 7in, 146kg Saint: ‘A fly-half trapped in a second-row’s body’

As Northampton prepare for Friday’s Champions Cup clash at Bath, their South African lock reflects on how bigger forwards ‘can do things other people can’t’

Cometh the hour, cometh the big man. There are certain situations when size matters on a rugby field and the 6ft 7in tall, 23 stone JJ van der Mescht is the larger-than-life proof. If spectators at the Rec on Friday feel the ground beneath them shake as Northampton run out to face Bath in their keenly awaited Champions Cup quarter-final, there will be a giant-sized reason why.

Clearly Saints will also bring their razor-sharp running game but even Bath’s meatier forwards should brace themselves. There is invariably a major collision when the massive Van der Mescht thunders into contact and asks the direct questions that led South Africa to include their exiled lock in an alignment squad ahead of their July Tests against England, Scotland and Wales.