Vincent Coates

Vincent Middleton Hope Coates (18 May 1889 – 14 November 1934) was an English international rugby union player.

Coates grew up in Somerset, attending Monkton Combe School. He completed his secondary education at Haileybury College and went on to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he gained his blues for rugby.

As a winger, Coates formed a three-quarter partnership at Bath with his brother Norman, who was a centre. He debuted for Somerset as a 17 year old and gained 20 county caps through his career, which included the captaincy between 1911 and 1913. His five England caps all came in 1913, debuting against the touring Springboks at Twickenham. He contributed six tries in England's grand slam-winning Five Nations campaign, with a hat-trick against France at Twickenham, as well a one try in their first ever win over Wales in Cardiff.

A consulting physician and cardiological specialist, Coates worked with various institutions in South West England until his death in 1934, when he fell from a moving train. His death was ruled accidental by the coroner.