Falcons boss Steve Bates is reportedly set to be shown the door ahead of this weekend's final round of Premiership action © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Steve Bates

Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership

Teams: England | Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle Falcons have terminated the contract of rugby director Steve Bates with immediate effect.

The Guinness Premiership strugglers completed the sacking of Bates following the a coaching review at the Kingston Park club. Bates' assistant Alan Tait will take over as head coach prior their final league clash of the season against play-off chasing Wasps on Saturday. Tait will then conduct a review of the playing, coaching and support structure at the club.

Bates has been in charge of the Falcons since John Fletcher and Peter Walton parted company with the club at the end of the 2007-08 season but previously served as head coach under Rob Andrew between 1995 and 2003. He later coached Border Reivers and worked with Scotland A and England Saxons.

"I am disappointed at the outcome of this review, but I am proud of what has been achieved this season in a very competitive environment," said Bates. "I would like to thank the players and all of the back-up staff for their support and effort. I would also like to thank my wife and family for their fantastic support, loyalty and encouragement during this time."

Falcons chairman Dave Thompson added, "We would all like to express our thanks to Steve for his contribution during his time as director of rugby, and wish him every success in the future. With immediate effect, first team coach Alan Tait will now take charge as head coach, reporting into chief executive David Bell. Alan will be undertaking a review of the playing, coaching and support structure, and announcements relating to that review are expected shortly."

Newcastle are currently 10th in the Premiership table, with just six league wins this season, and while they reached the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup, they failed to register a win in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Bates, a former scrum-half who was capped by England in 1989, becomes the third high-profile figure to depart a Premiership club in little more than a week. Former Wales coach Mike Ruddock left Worcester after their relegation was sealed with a narrow defeat against Leeds Carnegie, while England World Cup winner Jason Robinson departed his role as head coach at Sale. The Sharks have brought in ex-New Zealand All Blacks forward Mike Brewer, although Kingsley Jones retains his role as rugby director.

Newcastle have yet to announce any major new signings for next season, but among those players leaving Kingston Park are All Blacks prop Carl Hayman, who will link up with former Falcons fly-half Jonny Wilkinson at Toulon, wing Tom Biggs and young fly-half prospect Rob Miller.