Dave Walder to join Bristol Bears

Former Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder is set to join Bristol Bears as their senior backs and attack skills coach ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The announcement comes just 42 days after Newcastle effectively sacked him as head coach following a dreary season for the northern club.

Having scored more than 1,000 Premiership points as a player for Wasps and Newcastle, Walder spent four successful seasons as backs and attack coach at Kingston Park before stepping up as gaffer at the start of this season.

However, things didn’t go to plan and Walder handed over the reins to Mark Laycock last month.

Bristol Bears Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “With Conor moving on at the end of the season, we’re delighted to be able to bring someone of Dave’s calibre into the coaching team.

“He is an exceptional coach who has already amassed a huge amount of experience and respect in the Premiership, both as a backs and attack coach and more recently, a head coach at Newcastle Falcons.

“He has an excellent understanding of the game, a great rapport with the players and I believe he will add huge value to the Bears on and off the field.”

Walder added: “I’m hugely excited by this opportunity and can’t wait to get started with the Bears. I know how ambitious this club is and look forward to contributing to the vision and long-term success at Ashton Gate.

“Knowing Pat well from my playing days at Newcastle, I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the coaching staff at the club. It’s a talented group of players with a world-class training facility, so I’m relishing the challenges ahead.”