Double boost for Falcons
May 29, 2002

Newcastle have been boosted by the news that boss Rob Andrew has signed a new five-year contract and former Australian Test prop Andrew Blades has joined the club as their new forwards coach on a three-year deal.

Former England and Lions fly-half Andrew, 39, joined Newcastle seven years ago, masterminding Falcons' league title triumph in 1998 and qualification for last season's Heineken Cup.

"I still feel that we have only scratched the surface, although I have been here for nearly seven years," said the Newcastle rugby director.

"It is a long process building a team and a club - it doesn't happen overnight.

"But we've made extraordinary progress, and we are at the point where we have established a base for the future."

And Blades, capped 32 times by the Wallabies, is an integral part of those plans.

He retired after Australia won the 1999 World Cup, and has since been working with the ACT Brumbies and Australian Under-21 squad in a coaching capacity.

"This is the sort of appointment I have been looking to make for the last three years, but the right person was never available until I heard on the grapevine a few months ago that Andrew Blades was interested in coming to Europe," added Andrew.

"Not surprisingly, there was a bit of competition for his services, and I am absolutely thrilled and delighted that we've got him.

"There are not many guys around with Andrew's coaching qualities that also fit perfectly into our style and, in addition, he has a huge knowledge of the front-row."

Newcastle have also announced that Scottish international hooker Steve Brotherstone, who joined them on loan from Northampton earlier this season, has signed a two-year contract.

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