Alex Coles: Northampton Saints sign England star on new contract to extend 11-year stay - 'Excited about what's to come'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 02/01/2024 at 23:44 GMT
Alex Coles has signed a new deal at Northampton Saints as he extends his 11-year stay having joined the club’s academy at the age of 13. The 24-year-old made his 100th appearance for Saints in a recent win over Sale Sharks which put them top of the Premiership. “This is my boyhood club,” he said. “I really want to be part of a group that delivers success for Northampton by winning some trophies.”
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Alex Coles of Northampton Saints scores their second try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on November 04, 2023 in Northampton,
Image credit: Eurosport
England international Alex Coles has signed fresh terms with Northampton Saints, the club has confirmed.
The 24-year-old made his 100th appearance for the club in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership Rugby victory over Sale Sharks after initially joining the academy set-up at the age of 13.
Coles, predominantly a lock, can also play in the back row and has racked up 10 tries for Saints, with his performances earning him three England caps during the autumn series in 2022.
Coles has progressed through the ranks to the first team and following his contract renewal, revealed his joy at extending his stay at the club.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be staying on with Saints,” he told the club website.
“This is my boyhood club, they spotted me out of school, have brought me through the system here since I was 14 years old, and have invested so much time and effort into making me the player that I am.
“On the pitch, it feels like we have something special brewing and I wanted to make sure I am involved in that.
“There’s a big group of guys that I’ve grown up playing alongside, and now I really want to be part of a group that delivers success for Northampton by winning some trophies.”
Northampton are currently leading the Premiership and top the table by a point over closest challengers Exeter Cheifs.
They are also top of their European Champions Cup group, again, closely chased by Exeter, as Coles and Saints enjoy a stellar season.
On his role after becoming a mainstay in the team, Coles added: “Over the last couple of years, I definitely feel like my role within the team has grown.
“I started out as a listener and a helper, but now I have a more senior role in leading the lineout, and with 100 games under my belt I have the experience to be able to support the squad’s other leaders with a real maturity growing now amongst this group.
“So, I am excited about what is to come for me. I feel like there’s still a lot to get out of my game, and I’m working hard on that every single day.”
Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson said: "He's grown into an incredibly important player for us. It's his natural intelligence, his desire to get better, and his ability to influence those around him that is so important for us.
"To have played 100 senior games at 24 years old in such an attritional position, and to have been recognised on the international stage too, is very impressive - but we are sure there is still a lot more to come from him."
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement