Guinness Premiership : Falcons confirm Bates appointment

Steve Bates - Falcons' permanent director of Rugby

Falcons confirm Bates appointment

20 May 2008, 9:46 am

By Nick Betts

Newcastle Falcons has confirmed Steve Bates as the club's permanent director of rugby, having signed a three-year deal.

The former England scrum half had taken over the reins on an acting basis for the last two months of the 2007/8 season, steering the club to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup as well as defeating Guinness Premiership champions Leicester Tigers.

Bates, who next month leads England Saxons on their Churchill Cup campaign in North America, is currently in his second spell with the Falcons, having coached them to the 1997/8 Premiership title and the 2001 Tetley's Bitter Cup.

His three-year stint as director of rugby with Border Reivers saw them achieve Heineken Cup rugby on the smallest budget in the Celtic League, as well as coaching Scotland 'A' to victory over England Saxons.

Details of Bates' coaching team at Newcastle Falcons will be announced in due course.