NORTHAMPTON lock Alex Coles has been challenged to up his physicality in a bid for regular first team action this season. Coles, 21, ran out 15 times for Saints last campaign, starting eight games and racking up over 800 minutes. With a 90 per cent tackle rate his selection was vindicated, but he knows it was circumstance rather than blistering form that swayed Saints boss Chris Boyd.
“I wasn’t expecting to play as much as I did,” Coles confesses, pointing to the injuries of Alex Moon and Dave Ribbans, as well as the suspension of Api Ratuniyarawa, and Courtney Lawes&rsq...