Coles can’t wait to create more memories after signing new Saints contract
Alex Coles says it is ‘incredible’ to be able to continue playing for his boyhood club after signing a new contract with Saints.
The 26-year-old England lock is now a key figure for club and country and he has joined Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell and Fraser Dingwall in extending his contract at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Coles made his Saints debut against Wasps in 2018, having previously represented The Perse School and Shelford RFC before progressing through Saints’ Under-18s and Senior Academy.
His rise through Northampton’s age grades was mirrored on the international stage, where he wore the Red Rose at Under-16, Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 level.
Senior honours followed in 2022 with a debut against Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series – a season in which he also reached 50 appearances for Saints and was named the club’s breakthrough player of the year.
A Six Nations debut came in 2024, a year that ended with Coles lifting the Gallagher PREM trophy and earning a place in the league’s team of the season.
Renowned for his lineout expertise, athleticism and ball-carrying ability, Coles has added a sharp try-scoring edge in recent years.
His tally of 10 tries in 38 games across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns – including two in the Investec Champions Cup final against Bordeaux Bègles – eclipsed the seven he managed in his first 93 outings for Saints.
His fitness and determination have also seen him twice win the club’s gruelling Blakiston Challenge, crossing the line first in both 2021 and 2022.
Now a Saints centurion and an 11-cap England international, Coles’ leadership continues to grow beyond the set-piece, influencing all areas of Northampton’s game.
In five appearances so far this term, he has already crossed the whitewash twice – underlining his impact.
And now he is looking forward to many more successful Saints outings after signing the new deal.
“Staying at the club that’s shown such faith in me was an easy decision,” said Coles. “Saints brought me in from school, guided me through the Academy, and shaped me into the player I am today. I don’t see any reason to play my rugby anywhere else.
“To represent the club I supported as a kid is incredible. My first rugby shirt was a signed Saints shirt back in 2006 or 2007, with names like Dylan Hartley and Soane Tonga’uiha on it – pulling on that same jersey has been amazing.
“The other lads who’ve re-signed recently have nailed what it feels like to play here; coming to work with people you consider your closest friends is special. That motivates you to work hard for each other and achieve things together.
“One of my biggest motivations is creating memories with this squad. I’ve had a taste of success, but I want more. Winning silverware and competing at the top level has been exciting, and there’s still hunger to push further. The fact so many players have committed again shows the belief in this group.
“I want us to keep improving and challenging on every stage – proving our PREM success wasn’t a one-off and going even further in Europe. I still have a burning desire to play for England and to try to go to the Rugby World Cup in 2027, so I need to keep performing for the club as everything goes hand-in-hand in that space.
“Beyond that, another big driver for me is that I want to be part of something bigger, something that impacts the town and our community here. Seeing what our PREM win meant to our supporters was incredible.
“Rugby dominates Northampton, and that makes running out at cinch Stadium so special.”