Alex Codling
{{Short description|England international rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2009}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Alex Codling
| image =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|9|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = Lewisham, London, England
| height = {{convert|1.95|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|102|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
| nickname =
| occupation =
| school =
| university =
| spouse =
| children =
| relatives =
| ru_currentposition =
| ru_currentteam =
| ru_position = Lock
| amatyears1 =
| amatteam1 =
| years1 = 1991–1994
| years2 = 1994–1996
| years3 = 1996–1999
| years4 = 1999–2000
| years5 = 2000–2003
| years6 = 2003–2004
| years7 = 2004–2005
| years8 = 2005–2005
| years9 = 2005–2006
| clubs1 = London Wasps (U21)
| clubs2 = Blackheath F.C.
| clubs3 = Richmond F.C.
| clubs4 = Neath RFC
| clubs5 = Harlequins
| clubs6 = Saracens F.C.
| clubs7 = Bedford Blues
| clubs8 = Northampton Saints
| clubs9 = Montpellier
| apps1 =
| points1 =
| repyears1 = 2002
| repteam1 = {{nrut|England}}
| repcaps1 = 1
| reppoints1 = 0
| repsevensyears1 =
| repsevensteam1 =
| repsevenscomp1 =
| coachyears1 = 2006–2007
| coachyears2 = 2007–2008
| coachyears3 = 2008
| coachyears4 = 2008–2011
| coachyears5 = 2011–2012
| coachyears6 = 2012–2013
| coachyears7 = 2013–2015
| coachyears8 = 2015–2016
| coachyears9 = 2015–2016
| coachyears10 = 2016–2018
| coachyears11 = 2018–2019
| coachyears12 = 2021
| coachyears13 = 2021–2023
| coachyears14 = 2023–2024
| coachyears15 = 2024–present
| coachteams1 = Ebbw Vale RFC, Head Coach{{cite web | url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/23447384.newcastle-appoint-ex-ebbw-vale-boss-alex-codling-head-coach/ | title=Former Ebbw Vale boss lands top English Premiership job at Newcastle | date=11 April 2023 }}
| coachteams2 = London Welsh, Forwards Coach{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6625139.stm|title=London Welsh add Codling to staff|date=4 May 2007|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-05-15}}
| coachteams3 = Cardiff RFC, Head Coach{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7750121.stm | title=Codling makes swift Cardiff exit | date=26 November 2008 }}
| coachteams4 = Barking RFC, Head Coach
| coachteams5 = London Scottish FC, Forwards Coach
| coachteams6 = Rotherham Titans, Head Coach
| coachteams7 = Rosslyn Park F.C., Head Coach
| coachteams8 = Irish Rugby Football Union, Under 18 Assistant Coach
| coachteams9 = Ulster Rugby, A-Team Head Coach
| coachteams10 = Ealing Trailfinders, Head Coach
| coachteams11 = Harlequin F.C., Forwards Coach
| coachteams12 = England, Lineout consultant
| coachteams13 = Oyonnax Rugby, Forwards Coach
| coachteams14 = Newcastle Falcons, Head Coach
| coachteams15 = Ireland women's national rugby union team, Forwards Coach{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/onsi/rugby/ex-falcons-coach-alex-codling-joins-ireland-women-s-rugby-coaching-team-01j67sk9sevr | title=Ex-Falcons Coach Alex Codling Joins Ireland Women's Rugby Coaching Team | date=26 August 2024 }}
}}
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.
Rugby career
He won his only cap for England under Sir Clive Woodward against {{nrut|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.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7670423.stm|title=Codling unveiled as Cardiff coach|date=23 October 2008|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-05-15}}
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.