Ealing Trailfinders have announced that head coach Alex Codling has signed a contract extension, keeping him at the club until at least 2020.
The former England international joined the club at the end of the 2015/16 season, and has helped transform Trailfinders in to a top end Greene King IPA Championship side.
They current sit in second place, behind runaway leaders Bristol, but clear of all their rivals, narrowing the gap between them and the Premiership sides.
Codling is thrilled to be extending his stay at Vallis Way, saying: “I am delighted to be extending my contract with Ealing Trailfinders. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Ben, the backroom staff and the players.
The hard work of the players has allowed the club to really move forward over the last couple of seasons. I am determined to help that trend continue in every way that I can.”
In 15/16 the West Londoners held off the challenge of Moseley to stay up in their debut Championship season, before the 44-year-old led Ealing to their highest ever finish of third just a year after.
They qualified for the play-offs where they were eventually defeated by Yorkshire Carnegie, and also reached the semi-finals of the British and Irish Cup.
This season the Trailfinders have started emphatically, winning 11 of their 13 matches in all competitions which sees them sit second in the table, behind runaway leaders Bristol, and looking to improve on the third placed finish achieved last year.
Codling has a wealth of experience in coaching after having had spells at the likes of Ulster, Rotherham Titans, Rosslyn Park and Barking.
As a player the second-rower won a cap for England against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 2002, and had an illustrious playing career with clubs such as Harlequins, Northampton Saints, Saracens and Montpellier.
Director of Rugby Ben Ward is pleased to have secured Codling’s services for another two years.
“Codders has been massively influential and his work has seen us become one of the top sides in the Championship. We are very proud of where we are as a club and want to keep improving, which is why we are delighted to have Alex with us for a significant period of time.”
He added: “I very much enjoy working with him as does everyone at the club, and we look forward to continuing the relationship.”
Last weekend, Ealing claimed a 31-7 victory at Hartpury RFC and they travel to Rotherham Titans in the British & Irish Cup on Saturday.
