Alex Codling

Alex Codling (born 25 September 1973) is an English rugby union coach and the former head coach of Newcastle Falcons. He is a former player as a lock forward.

Alex Codling

Date of birth	(1973-09-25) 25 September 1973 (age 51)
Place of birth	Lewisham, London, England
Height	1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight	102 kg (16 st 1 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1991–1994 London Wasps (U21) () 1994–1996 Blackheath F.C. () 1996–1999 Richmond F.C. () 1999–2000 Neath RFC () 2000–2003 Harlequins () 2003–2004 Saracens F.C. () 2004–2005 Bedford Blues () 2005–2005 Northampton Saints () 2005–2006 Montpellier () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2002 England 1 (0) Coaching career Years Team 2006–2007 Ebbw Vale RFC, Head Coach[1] 2007–2008 London Welsh, Forwards Coach[2] 2008 Cardiff RFC, Head Coach[3] 2008–2011 Barking RFC, Head Coach 2011–2012 London Scottish FC, Forwards Coach 2012–2013 Rotherham Titans, Head Coach 2013–2015 Rosslyn Park F.C., Head Coach 2015–2016 Irish Rugby Football Union, Under 18 Assistant Coach 2015–2016 Ulster Rugby, A-Team Head Coach 2016–2018 Ealing Trailfinders, Head Coach 2018–2019 Harlequin F.C., Forwards Coach 2021 England, Lineout consultant 2021–2023 Oyonnax Rugby, Forwards Coach 2023–2024 Newcastle Falcons, Head Coach 2024–present Ireland women's national rugby union team, Forwards Coach[4]

Rugby career

He won his only cap for England under Sir Clive Woodward against Argentina in 2002. After retiring from playing rugby union, he became the Head of Sport at Trinity School in Shirley, where he was until November 2012. He was previously the coach with Ebbw Vale RFC whom he was with for a season and a half, saving them from relegation in his first half season and leading them to the runners up spot in his second and last season. It was reported that Codling drove from his Surrey home to every Ebbw Vale match and training session.

Codling left Ebbw Vale in April 2007 and was soon appointed forwards coach at the RFU Championship club London Welsh. After leaving the Exiles in February 2008, Codling took up the role of part-time forwards coach at Barking. In October 2008, he took over as head coach of Cardiff RFC.^[5] In 2011/12 season Codling was unveiled as forwards coach for newly promoted RFU Championship team London Scottish.

On 16 November 2012, Codling signed a 2-year deal to become the head coach of Rotherham Titans, unlike with previous roles, Codling resigned from his position as a teacher to fully focus on his career as a rugby coach.