Newcastle Red Bulls confirm addition to coaching team

As exclusively revealed by RugbyPass on Friday, Darren Fearn is leaving Doncaster Knights to return to his former club Newcastle as a transition coach.

Fearn has spent the past season as head coach of the Knights, having previously served as the Champ club’s forwards coach.

A former Newcastle, Sale and Bedford prop, Fearn’s coaching career began in the North East, at Newcastle University and Northumbria University, as well as being head coach of England Students.

Once he starts his new role on July 1st, Fearn will work under Red Bulls’ academy and pathways director John Fletcher.

“Our senior academy squad is considerably bigger next season so it’s important we put in place the appropriate level of support and expertise, and in Darren we are certainly getting someone who will offer that,” Fletcher explained.

“He’s coming here as a transition coach to work with the senior academy and associate academy players, supporting the confirmation phase coaches in transitioning players into the senior squad.

“He has played for the club, knows the region well and has been involved with both universities in the city as well as coaching England Students.

“He arrives from Doncaster Knights where he was originally forwards coach, more recently being promoted to head coach, and he has done a great job there. All the feedback we’ve had on him has been outstanding, and he’ll be a great addition here with his character and coaching ability.”

Relishing the opportunity to return to the club, Fearn said: “I loved my time as a player at Newcastle and it’s great to be coming back.

“My kids were born in Newcastle, I’ve coached at both universities in the city and the club means a lot to me. They gave me my first contract, a lot of my close friends are there and from a sentimental point of view as well as a professional one it’s a really exciting move.”

Doncaster are once again looking for another head coach alongside director of rugby, Sir Ian McGeechan, having lost Joe Ford and now Fearn.

“With Darren now departing, Doncaster Knights are reviewing several options open to them to appoint and rebuild a strong coaching team to work with existing quality players and others yet to be confirmed,” the Knights said in a statement.

Attack coach Jacob Ford’s move to Sale Sharks as a transition coach is also set to be confirmed.