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Gallagher Premiership

Newcastle statement: Appointment of Alex Codling as new head coach

Liam Heagney

11 Apr 2023

(Photo by Alex Davidson/RFU/Getty Images)

Newcastle have confirmed last Wednesday’s RugbyPass exclusive that ex-England lock Alex Codling will succeed Dave Walder as their new head coach. Last week’s report read: “Codling signed the deal with Newcastle on Tuesday and will start work with the Falcons at the end of this season. Walder stepped back from first-team duties in the middle of March and is currently on gardening leave.”

This development has now been made official, a Tuesday morning club statement reading: “Alex Codling will become Newcastle Falcons’ head coach in the summer, with the former England lock insisting worth ethic and pace are at the heart of his philosophy.

“The vastly experienced Londoner is currently forwards coach at runaway leaders Oyonnax in France’s Pro D2, with the 49-year-old’s previous roles including forwards coach at Harlequins, head coach at Ealing Trailfinders and assistant coach to the English national team for their 2021 June internationals.

“Having had a successful playing career at the top level including playing for the likes of Harlequins, Saracens and Montpellier, Codling won his England cap against Argentina in 2002 before embarking on his coaching journey.”

Codling said: “I’m very excited to be able to make a contribution to the next chapter in Newcastle’s history. There is a lot of exciting talent in the squad, and our job as a coaching staff is to help the players in every way we can to continue to develop and give them real clarity on how we want to play.

EXCLUSIVE: The Dave Walder vacancy has been filled, writes Jon Newcombe ??? #GallagherPrem https://t.co/wtsN0HYyCg
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 5, 2023

“First and foremost with any team, it is founded on hard work and team spirit. I watched Newcastle’s last game against Gloucester a couple of weeks ago on TV, in which they claimed a victory despite playing with 14 men for over an hour. The way they fought against adversity was incredible and the atmosphere at the ground that night looked fantastic.

“I have seen first-hand as both a player and coach the huge passion the supporters have for the club, and the difference they can make.

“As a coach, it is about testing yourself in different environments and constantly looking at ways in which you can improve every day. I will take a lot from my time working in France and I can’t wait to start working with the Falcons’ staff and players.

“In the meantime, I want to continue to do everything I can to help Oyonnax achieve their dream as the season draws to an exciting conclusion with a home semi-final on the horizon.”

Newcastle chairman of rugby Matt Thompson added: “We are delighted to welcome Alex to the Falcons family. We are going through a significant period of change here at Kingston Park and we are very excited about the future of the club and what we can all achieve together.

“We want to play an exciting brand of rugby on the pitch and continue to create a platform for rugby talent in the North of England. We continue to have some amazing support from our fans, sponsors and employees, and we are incredibly grateful for that. We are looking forward to what comes next.”