Newcastle Falcons - Tait placed on Gardening Leave

Newcastle Falcons have appointed Gary Gold as the club's director of rugby, with head coach Alan Tait "taking a break" from the game.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/16527658.stm

Not surprised they are awful.

Too little too late...

I'm slightly surprised. It's too late to save Newcastle from relegation, and given that fact I thought they'd keep Tait until the end of the season then hunt for a replacement.

I actually think Tait wanted to go - he has realised that he is in a hopeless position and doesn't seem to be able to get this group of players to work - not an environment that I would chose to stick around in either

Well if they are doomed they might as well replace him so that his successor can have a play around with the squad ahead of the summer and select in advance who he would like to keep. If he get's his transfer priorities in early it'll be a much easier recruitment process.

He should have been a bit wiser with his signings....the likes of Wells etc ARE NOT premiership standard players...SA journeymen tacklebag holders....

It's never too late.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Well if they are doomed they might as well replace him so that his successor can have a play around with the squad ahead of the summer and select in advance who he would like to keep. If he get's his transfer priorities in early it'll be a much easier recruitment process.

My only issue is that it might be harder to get the right replacement at this stage than it might be in the summer. Obviously if the right guy is available now then may as well get him in so that he can assess the squad and what needs to be done in terms of rebuilding in the summer.

True it would depend on whom Newcastle were eyeing up as a replacement. If they intend to replace Tait with an internal appointement then they might as well do it now.

Taken from the BBC;

"Newcastle Falcons have announced head coach Alan Tait is "taking a break" from rugby, and have brought in Gary Gold as director of rugby for the remainder of the current season. He will be joined at Kingston Park by Mike Ford who will take up the role of defence coach. "

Two good coaching appointments there, and probably not cheap. Newcastle's new owner is certainly trying.

Yeah.....but its surely not going to be enough...or is it?

Maybe not enough to save Falcons Geordie but if they get no systems in place early and get some better performances from them then you might find that a)retaining players for next season is easier and b)Falcons will be ready to take the Championship by storm. Some improved performances this season will be good for the supporters as well, might bring back some pride.

wonder how many SA journey men we'll get now?

Could pull in some of his old boks who are ready to move abroad?

Peter Grant , Dannie Russouw( He's only in Japan for a year) and we might find a few Jouberts out there!

Aslong as they're good bok players not utter dross like Wells...