Newcastle boss Steve Diamond recruits former England No9 Lee Dickson

Former England scrumhalf Lee Dickson has joined Newcastle Falcons as skills coach.

The 18-cap England international has joined Steve Diamond's coaching staff on a consultancy basis while holding down his role as master in charge of rugby at Barnard Castle School, the school he came through.

The 39-year-old is a product of Newcastle's academy, and played 49 games for the club between 2004 and 2008 before joining Northampton Saints, where he went on to make more than 250 appearances, winning the Premiership in the process.

Diamond has been busy over the summer reshaping his coaching staff, with former England U20 head coach Alan Dickens also joining as a senior coach.

Newcastle got their season underway on Friday with a 3-24 loss to Bristol Bears at Kingston Park, which will extend their search for a Gallagher Premiership victory to 18 months.

“It’s great to be back at a club which means a lot to me, where I came through the academy and into professional rugby," Dickson said after rejoining his boyhood club.

“I know Newcastle’s senior coach Alan Dickens from our time together at Northampton Saints so it’s great to be working with him again, and I’m still fully committed to my main role at Barnard Castle School. I think the two can combine perfectly in terms of coming in and doing one day a week skills work with the Newcastle scrum-halves, and I’m enjoying it so far.

“It’s not a case of trying to teach old dogs new tricks, but if I can improve their skills and give them a few little pointers I believe we will see a positive effect on the team.

“I’ll bring energy and enthusiasm to it just like I did when I was a player, and it’s fantastic to re-connect with the Falcons in this way.”

Diamond added: “Lee was an exceptional player and is an aspiring coach who holds Newcastle Falcons close to his heart, so we would be silly not to try and tap into that.

“He’s got a lot to add from a skills and scrum-half perspective, he’s living in the area and he’s keen to get involved, so it’s a partnership which works well from all sides.”