Tough for Falcons as Diamond gets ready

NEWCASTLE’S players will have their fourth boss in less than a year when Steve Diamond starts work as consultant director of rugby next month.

- PAUL REES

Dave Walder was dismissed as director of rugby last March with Mark Laycock taking over for the rest of the season. Alex Codling started work as head coach in the summer, but he was “relieved of his duties” on Friday with the Falcons winless in 14 league and Challenge Cup matches.

The 57-18 home loss to Treviso nine days ago proved to be the trigger for the removal of Codling, who steered Oyonnax to promotion to the Top 14 last season.

Newcastle have put sustainability above success following the demise of three clubs last season and Codling questioned the policy after last month’s heavy defeat at Leicester Tigers.

“The club has got decisions to make about where it wants to go,” he said. “People are working really hard but we are up against it on a personal and collective level every week. It is really tough. We do not have the size or the experience. That is the bottom line and they have to make decisions strategically going forward because it is not fair on the league.”

Newcastle’s response was to call for Diamond, the former Sale director of rugby, who filled a similar role at Worcester two years ago only for the club to collapse a few months after he had taken over full time.