John Fletcher, the Newcastle Falcons director of rugby, and Peter Walton, the forwards coach, have left the club by mutual consent. Fletcher took charge at Kingston Park in August 2006 after Rob Andrew departed to become elite rugby director at the Rugby Football Union.

"I would like to place on record my thanks to John and Peter, and to wish them well for the future," said the Newcastle chairman Dave Thompson. "Coaching and technical director Steve Bates will take charge of team affairs on an interim basis until the end of the season, assisted by Ian Peel."

Bates takes up the reins with Newcastle lying third from bottom in the Guinness Premiership, although with Leeds currently 21 points adrift at the foot of the table he is unlikely to find himself embroiled in a relegation battle. His first game in charge will be against Bristol on Sunday.