Alex Coles goes walking in to Northampton Saints senior academy

The Perse School student earns contract at Franklin's Gardens

Alex Coles has earned a contract with Northampton Saints.

The 18-year-old Perse School pupil and product of Cambridge Rugby Club has been awarded a place in the Saints’ senior academy for the 2018/19 season.

Injury has disrupted the lock’s season, but Coles had featured for the Wanderers – Northampton’s second team – earlier in the campaign.

Coles, who has represented England at under-18 and under-16 level, said: “I’m thrilled to have a one-year contract to play for Northampton next season. It’s something I’ve been working towards for a long time, but there’s a lot of hard work still to come.

“I’ve been with the club for four or five years after one of the Saints coaches saw me playing for The Perse. It all went from there and it’s great to commit myself to the club full-time.

“The club has been really good. I got injured in December and haven’t been able to play a regular season game for Northampton (U18), but they’ve shown their faith in me and I hope I can reward it.

“I’ve been working hard behind the scenes on coming back stronger, so when pre-season starts with Northampton, I’ll be raring to go.”