The 2025/26 campaign is Alex Coles’ eighth 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 Nation Series, in a season that saw him reach the 50-appearance milestone for Saints and be named the Club’s Breakthrough Player of the Season.
A Six Nations debut for England followed in 2024 – a year which concluded with him becoming a Gallagher Premiership champion, and being named in the Premiership 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. His haul of ten tries in 38 games spreading from the 2023/24 season into the 2024/25 campaign – including two in the Investec Champions Cup final against Bordeaux Bègles – eclipsed the seven he’d scored in his first 93 outings for the Club.
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.
