Newcastle boss looking forward to Townsend's help

Gregor Townsend has been Scotland head coach since 2017

Newcastle Red Bulls head coach Alan Dickens says he is looking forward to the help Scotland boss Gregor Townsend will give him.

Townsend has agreed a deal to join the club's owners Red Bull as their rugby consultant, alongside his role at Scotland.

The news came on the same day that Red Bulls relieved director of rugby Steve Diamond from his duties following an opening day loss to Saracens.

"I've been fortunate enough in the past to kind of have that mentor role," Dickens told BBC Sport after the 38-15 Prem loss at Exeter.

"Gregor's coming in as a consultant, and he'll be giving us the wealth of experience that he's gained over his career and we'll be looking to implement those bits as we go on through the next few weeks."

Dickens spoke to Townsend in the run-up to the Exeter trip and hopes he can help shape a side that has won just two Prem games since the start of last season and are yet to get a point this term.

"Certainly at the minute it's somebody from the outside looking in," he said.

"Often when you're in a club environment it's pretty insular.

"The wealth of experience that he's got, whether from playing days, from coaching Glasgow, from coaching Scotland, is vast and it's something that we'll lean on."

Dickens hails Diamond's impact at Newcastle

Steve Diamond had been with Newcastle since January 2024

Dickens was quick to praise his former boss Diamond, who left the club after almost two years at Kingston Park.

The former Sale boss led Newcastle through a difficult period with the club stuck at the bottom of the league, managing only two wins from 25 league games.

But with Red Bull's backing he led a major overhaul of the squad this summer, with the likes of Liam Williams, Amanaki Mafi and Stefan Coetzee agreeing to move to the club.

"Every one of those players that played today, and the ones who weren't selected, are there because of Steve Diamond," he said.

"Ultimately this was his squad and you look across the board, some players it's a second chance, some players were close to retiring and not got clubs, so they're indebted to Steve Diamond.

"One of the positives about Dimes is he wished us well today - he sees the value of rugby in the north and looking to go forward."