Newcastle Falcons have appointed Steve Diamond as consultant director of rugby with current boss Alex Codling to step down from his role.

Diamond, 54, will also continue his consultancy role at the RFU in addition to taking over at Kingston Park.

"Newcastle are an iconic club with a fantastic history," he said.

"It is a privilege to be asked to assist in building a successful and sustainable Premiership business."

Diamond formerly spent a decade in charge at Sale Sharks and has also coached with Saracens, the Russian national team and Worcester Warriors - his most recent job in the Premiership.

Following Warriors' collapse in 2022, Diamond has worked with Scottish side Edinburgh as lead rugby consultant before taking his current role with the Rugby Football Union where he is helping the body create a sustainable strategy for the future of English domestic rugby union's second tier.

Diamond appointment 'exciting'

Codling steps down having spent nine months in charge of the Falcons, however the club are currently bottom of the Premiership having lost all 11 of their games so far this season picking up only four points in the process.

Falcons chairman of rugby Matt Thompson thanked Codling for "all the hard work he put in" as head coach before adding Ward would be given "all the support he needs" during his interim spell.

Thompson added he was "excited" by Diamond's arrival.

"He knows the English rugby landscape very well, he is passionate about having a strong northern presence in the Gallagher Premiership and I'm excited about what can be achieved here with him on board," he said.

RFU executive director of performance rugby Conor O'Shea added: "We welcome the appointment of Steve as consultant director of rugby at Newcastle Falcons to ensure his continued involvement in the English game at this very important time.

"We would like to thank Newcastle Falcons for allowing Steve to continue in his advisory role on our work to achieve a sustainable and investible Tier two league in English rugby."