Alex Coles, the Northampton Saints forward, is not your typical rugby player. The son of two Church of England vicars, he holds a degree in politics, philosophy, and history, followed by a law conversion, and is currently pursuing a master's in sports law. His intellectual curiosity extends to the field, where he once approached South Africa captain Siya Kolisi after a Test at Twickenham to discuss racial unity.
A Unique Background
Coles's mother, Olivia, writes her sermons on Fridays so she can attend his Saturday matches. His father, Alasdair, is a consultant neurologist and honorary chaplain at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. This upbringing instilled in Coles a drive to find purpose beyond rugby. "At the moment I don't have that religious purpose, but I see in their lives that sense of 'something else' that you're driving towards and gives you meaning," he says.
Academic Pursuits and Rugby
For his undergraduate dissertation, Coles examined whether South Africa's recent World Cup wins had an impact on race relations. "The 1995 victory and Nelson Mandela's presence was seen as a big moment for unifying the country. I wanted to see if there has been a similar effect following recent results and found some evidence of that," he explains. Seeking firsthand testimony, he approached Kolisi, who agreed to a 30-minute interview. "It just re-emphasised to me how much [representing South Africa] means to them. It's a massive focus of collective and individual pride for those players," Coles says.
On-Field Success
In the 2025-26 season, Northampton did not lose a single Premiership game in which Coles featured, and he was influential in the final win against Exeter. Phil Dowson, Northampton's director of rugby, praises him: "He's been brilliant for England as well. The way he thinks about the game is different. He's incredibly driven, incredibly smart and consistent. If you get those three things together it allows you to do a pretty good job."
Preparing for the Boks
Coles earned his third England cap in autumn 2022 and is now a key figure in the pack in the absence of rested captain Maro Itoje. He acknowledges the challenge posed by South Africa: "When you play South Africa you know they're going to be well up for it." After a grueling Six Nations campaign, Coles took a restorative trip to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco in April. "There wasn't some deep awakening, but it was beautiful there. From the outside you wouldn't realise how important those rest weeks are sometimes," he reflects.
Looking Ahead
Coles is ready for the physical battle against the Boks. "One of my big 'whys' is having something competitive to go after. A goal, a purpose. That's really important for me. It adds a meaning to life. I don't want to go from day to day just treading water," he says. With his unique blend of intellect and athleticism, Coles aims to teach Kolisi and his teammates something new on Saturday.
