Laycock takes over as Walder steps down

director of rugby Dave Walder has left his position at the club less than a year after he succeeded former boss Dean Richards.

Although he will not officially depart until the end of the season, Walder will immediately step aside to allow Mark Laycock to take on the role.

Former fly-half Walder, 44, right, played for the Falcons before returning as a coach. He took charge of the club after Richards stepped down in May 2022 following 10 years at Kingston Park.

His departure comes with Falcons second-from-bottom of the Premiership, above Bath because they have won more games.

Falcons chairman Matt Thompson said: “Realistically we haven’t been where we want to be for a few years now and as a club we recognise the need to make changes to our approach to achieve our goals,” This week Newcastle confirmed last Sunday’s TRP exclusive that prop Trevor Davison has left to join to Northampton. Walder also lost hooker George McGuigan to Gloucester mid-season.

“A lot has happened, particularly this year, both across the sport and on and off the field at the club, and we need a bit of a reset across the board,” Thompson added.

“Our aim is to be a sustainable club that is here for years to come and in line with that it’s important that we invest in the right areas, in the right way at the right time.

“We want to entertain our supporters and play an exciting brand of rugby, which also means having the right players and coaching personnel in place to take us forward, and that is part of our ongoing recruitment strategy.”