Falcons name Bates as boss
Saxons coach handed Newcastle job on permanent basis
By Tony Curtis Last updated: 20th May 2008
Bates: Confirmed as Newcastle's director of rugby
Steve Bates has signed a three-year deal to become Newcastle's permanent director of rugby.
Bates, who is also the England Saxons coach, had held the post on an interim basis following the departure of John Fletcher from Kingston Park.
And although he struggled to halt the Falcons' slump, he did lead the side to a shock victory over Leicester.
Bates, though, has a long running association with the club having previously coached the side between 1995 and 2003.
In that time the side won promotion to the top-flight, the 1997/8 Premiership title and the 2001 Tetley's Bitter Cup.
Bates left Kingston Park and spent a three-year spell at the now defunct Border Reivers, guiding the Scottish side to Heineken Cup despite having the smallest budget in the Celtic League.
He returned to Newcastle in 2007, initially as coaching and technical director before being asked to step in as director of rugby when the Falcons parted company with Fletcher.
More to follow...
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Guinness Premiership | |
| Saturday 31st May | |
| Wasps 26 - 16 Leicester | |
| Sunday 18th May | |
| Gloucester 25 - 26 Leicester | |
| Wasps 21 - 10 Bath | |
Guinness Prem Top 6
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gloucester | 22 | 74 |
| 2 | London Wasps | 22 | 70 |
| 3 | Bath | 22 | 69 |
| 4 | Leicester Tigers | 22 | 64 |
| 5 | Sale Sharks | 22 | 63 |
| 6 | NEC Harlequins | 22 | 63 |
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Comments
Phil Aspin says...
Not sure on the appointment for Newcastle. Sure he has had some success but I am uncertain if he can cut it again
Posted 11:48 20th May 2008
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