Harlequins confirm Rowntree replacement

Harlequins have confirmed that Alex Codling has joined its coaching staff as forwards coach, replacing Graham Rowntree.

The 44-year-old moves to Twickenham from RFU Championship runners-up and British & Irish Cup winners Ealing Trailfinders where he has been Head Coach since the end of the 2015-16 season.

Codling began his coaching career with Ebbw Vale in 2006 and while there was recipient of the WRU “Coach of the Year” award. As Barking Head Coach who he led to promotion to National League 1 and narrowly missed out on promotion to the RFU Championship.

Further Head Coach roles followed at Rotherham Titans and Rosslyn Park who finished as runners-up in National League 1 in two consecutive seasons under his leadership. He also coached at Ulster Rugby where he was appointed Head Coach of the ‘A’ team and was assistant Coach of the Ireland U18 team.

Prior to moving into coaching Alex had an impressive playing career in which he won one cap for England, against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 2002. The Lewisham-born second-row began his career with Richmond then played for Neath, followed by Harlequins where he was “Player of the Season” in 2002, Northampton Saints and Saracens in the Premiership and Montpellier in the Top 14.

Announcing the appointment, Paul Gustard, Harlequins Head of Rugby said, “I have known Alex for almost 20 years both as a player and a coach. Over the last ten years he has been exceptionally proactive and curious in seeking new ideas and developing his coaching skills. He is an enthusiastic coach who I have observed first hand elicit strong engagement and technical development with his teams. He is very detailed around the lineout and clearly has a strong passion in this area. I’m delighted to have him as part of our coaching group at Harlequins.”

Commenting on his move to Harlequins, Alex Codling said, “I have some special memories as a player during my time at Harlequins and am really excited about joining the coaching team of this great club.”