As a player, Codling won a cap for England against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 2002, and had an extensive playing career with clubs such as Harlequins, Northampton Saints, Saracens and Montpellier.
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. In 2011/12 season he was unveiled as forwards coach for newly promoted RFU Championship team London Scottish.
On 16 November 2012, he 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.
In January 2020 he signed for Ealing Trailfinders as Head Coach for the 2020/21 season.
Alex Codling joined Munster Rugby as Forwards Coach Consultant in November 2024 before moving up to the position of Forwards Coach ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Codling initially joined Munster in November 2024 as Forwards Coach Consultant, and he worked with the province throughout the remainder of the 2024/25 season alongside his commitments as Forwards Coach with the Ireland Senior Women’s squad.
Career
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Munster Rugby Coach |
2025 - present |
 |
Newcastle Red Bulls Head Coach |
2023 - 2024 |
