The 2026/27 campaign is Alex Coles’ ninth within the senior set-up at Northampton Saints, having made his debut back in November 2018 against Wasps as a 19-year-old. 

His journey with Saints started long before that, as he joined the Club’s Academy system at 13 after impressing for The Perse School and Shelford RFC, before rising through Saints’ Under-18s and the Senior Academy. 

Alongside his rise through the age grades in Northampton, Coles’ journey on the international stage saw him wear the Red Rose of England at Under-16s, Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s level. 

Senior recognition followed with a debut against Argentina in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series, in a season that saw him be named the Club’s Breakthrough Player of the Season. 

After his 100th Saints appearance against Sale Sharks in December 2023, Coles’ Six Nations debut for England came in 2024 – a year which concluded with him becoming a Gallagher PREM champion and being named in the PREM Rugby team of the season.

Well known for his lineout work, athleticism and ball-carrying ability, Coles’ try-scoring contribution has also come to the fore in recent years, including two in the 2025 Investec Champions Cup final against Bordeaux Bègles, and he touched down eight times in 15 appearances in 2025/26 in winning his second PREM title

Coles’ fitness and determination also saw him become the first player to win the annual Blakiston Challenge on two occasions, after crossing the line first in 2021 and 2022.