Newcastle Falcons appoint Tom Williams as transition coach

Newcastle Falcons have announced the appointment of Tom Williams as a transition coach ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The 32-year-old had a successful season with Jersey Reds as an assistant coach helping them win the RFU Championship title last season and has played for Wales 7s, Cardiff Blues, Scarlets and Jersey in the past.

“It’s a really exciting challenge to help Newcastle’s best youngsters make that transition into being full-time professional athletes," he told the club's official website.

“I’ll be working with a really talented crop of young players and helping them make the step into full-time and first team rugby.

"Part of the job will be helping their self-awareness and game understanding on and off the field, and there’ll also be an element of working with Mark Laycock to help him with the team’s attack.”

Newcastle Falcons’ head of academy James Ponton expressed delight over Williams joining as a transition coach.

Tom is coming in as a transition coach which is a new position for us.

“It’s a good fit because he will work with our best under-18s players and our existing senior academy guys, just to help smoothen their transition from schoolboy rugby into the professional game.

“He is a backs and attack specialist so he will offer us a huge amount in those areas, and he will also be doing some work with our forwards who are coming through."