Newcastle statement: The exit of ‘club great’ Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson has applied the brakes on his coaching career, stepping away from his role as an assistant at Newcastle after just a single season. The former England back-rower retired from playing in early 2022 and opted to take up a position to stay on at Falcons after Dave Walder succeeded long-serving boss Dean Richards.

However, with Newcastle now set for a further change with Alex Colding already signed to replace the ousted Walder for the 2023/24 season, Wilson has decided he won’t continue as an assistant and will instead transition into an unspecified different line of work.

A statement read: “Mark Wilson has confirmed he will leave Newcastle Falcons’ coaching team at the end of the current season. The Cumbrian was a Falcons legend as a player, making 237 appearances and being capped 23 times by England. He retired from playing in February of last year but returned six months later to join the coaching team.”

Explaining his decision to step away from professional rugby coaching, Wilson said: “I have been given an opportunity away from rugby which I want to take, and which will allow me to upskill myself in a few different areas.

“I want to commit properly to that and see what happens with it, but I have enjoyed my year on the Falcons’ coaching team and would like to thank everybody involved with the club for their support.

“It has been great to get an insight into the world of professional rugby coaching, and it’s certainly something I will entertain in the future. I have been involved in the professional rugby environment for nigh-on 20 years now, and I just want to take a break and try something else.

“I’m going to step away for a little while now and throw myself into this opportunity that I have got away from the game, but I have still got a massive love for Newcastle Falcons and I hope the lads go on to become really successful in the years to come.”

Newcastle rugby chairman Matt Thompson added: “We respect Mark’s decision to move away from professional rugby and thank him for everything he has done for the club. It’s sad to see a club great departing but we understand he has things going on outside of rugby, and we wish him every success with that.

“He knows he and his family will always be welcome here, and I’m sure Mark will remain a passionate supporter of the Falcons long into the future.”