Alexander Joel C. Coles (born 21 September 1999) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Prem Rugby club Northampton Saints and the England national team.
Whilst pursuing rugby, Coles studied BA Politics Philosophy and History at Birkbeck, University of London.
Coles played rugby as a child at Newmarket and Shelford Rugby Club prior to joining the academy of Northampton Saints at the age of fourteen. In November 2018 he made his club debut for Northampton in a Premiership Rugby Cup match against Wasps and the following year scored his first try for the club against TimiÃÂoara in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Coles started in the 2023âÂÂ24 Premiership Rugby final as Northampton defeated Bath to become league champions. In May 2024, following an impressive season he was named in the Premiership Rugby Team of the Season for that campaign.
Coles scored a try during the 2024âÂÂ25 European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final victory over Castres. He also scored both of their tries in the 2025 European Rugby Champions Cup final at Millennium Stadium as Northampton lost against Bordeaux Bègles to finish runners up.
In January 2026, he scored three tries in a 66âÂÂ21 victory against Harlequins.
In 2017 Coles played for the England under-18 team on their tour of South Africa. He represented the England under-20 team in the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and was a member of the squad that finished fifth at the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.
Coles received his first call-up to the senior England squad by coach Eddie Jones for the 2022 Autumn internationals. On 6 November 2022, Coles made his Test debut starting in a 29âÂÂ30 loss to Argentina during the Autumn Nations Series.
Coles made his first Six Nations appearances as a substitute in victories over Italy and Wales during the 2024 tournament. Later that year he was included in the squad for their tour of New Zealand and played in both test defeats as England lost the series.