'I've had more messages on potholes than rugby'

Rugby star Alex Coles said he has had more messages about his comments on potholes than his Prem Rugby win.

The England and Northampton Saints forward made the comments on the state of the roads during celebrations for his club's Twickenham victory.

Coles is set to start in the second row for England's Nations Championship opener against South Africa.

The 26-year-old said: "It obviously struck a chord. It was half in jest to be honest, but it got a bit of a reaction."

During the Saints celebration, the day after the team's Prem Rugby title win, Coles took the microphone on the stage outside Northampton's Guildhall.

He told the crowd there was "something important we need to address, the potholes".

"They're a joke and we need to get them sorted out," he continued.

Coles told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly: "It obviously resonated because I had way more messages about that than winning the Prem."

He said West Northamptonshire Council posted a "sassy" response on Facebook.

After the comments the local authority wrote: "Thanks also go to a certain Mr Alex Coles of Franklin's Gardens for taking time out during the celebrations to report a few pothole issues to us.

"We hear you Alex, and everyone else raising this. It's a nationwide issue that every council is doing its best to deal with."

Coles said: "I'm hoping to come back, and all the roads will be spotless."

England next face Fiji at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on Saturday, while Northampton Saints' Prem season begins at the end of September.

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