AMBITIOUS lock Alex Coles is ready to fill the breach left by David Ribbans as Northampton go in search of vengeance following their November trouncing by Harlequins.
A 49-29 home defeat at the hands of today's opponents was not how Saints had planned to start their campaign. However, they have recovered to put themselves in play-off contention and today look to extend a run of three successive away wins.
Former England U20s star Coles said: “Harlequins have looked very good in recent weeks. They like to throw the ball around and are a good kicking side, plus they've got a very experienced core of players in their side so we'll need to match those challenges.
“We didn't do very well when they came to us at the start of the season so there are a few things to rectify there. That was probably our worst performance of the season and I remember feeling pretty crap after it.
“We've done better since then and, as we've shown in our last three away games at Gloucester, Wasps and Exeter, we're not afraid of going to anyone's place and believe we can beat anyone. We showed against Exeter that we've got the set-piece to dominate sides so we're ready for a battle.”
While Saints away form has been impressive, rugby director Chris Boyd was furious after his side threw away last week's home match with Bath after leading 19-3.
“It was hugely disappointing,” Coles concurs. “To execute our game plan the way we did in the first 30 minutes and really be in control, to then let that slip and not kill off the game was hard to articulate – it was a mixture of anger and bitter disappointment.
“But it just adds fire to the desire to go again this week.”
While the loss of Ribbans and injury victim Courtney Lawes is a blow, Coles is excited at the prospect of a run of games.
He said: “You never want your chance to come off the back of an injury to a guy like ‘Courts', but it's super exciting for David who definitely deserves his England call-up. If I've got a chance now, I'll be very excited and will try to grab it with both hands.
“We still have Alex Moon, Api Ratuniyarawa, Lewis Bean and myself, plus Nick Isiekwe can play lock as well, so there's still lots of competition and a hell of a fight for starting spots.”
With Moon and Ribbans having both now had a taste of England camps, Coles adds: “It gives everyone at the club a boost. We work closely together as a unit and to see the success of David and Alex gives all of us hope that you could be on that same pathway.”
