Dickens aiming for positive hand over at Newcastle

Alan Dickens says he is determined to leave Newcastle Red Bulls in the best possible shape – for whoever takes over as coach next season.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, who has a part-time consultancy role at Kingston Park, has dismissed rumours he could step up to the top job before the World Cup in Australia next year.

Dickens says it is his job to manage changing personnel over the next few months to the best of his ability and leave the club in the best possible shape to kick on next season.

"I am looking for a job elsewhere and I need to do that before the end of the season," Dickens said.

"It is part of the game I love and hopefully I have another chapter waiting for me down the line.

"But I also have responsibility for those players who are leaving, or those to play well to get contracts elsewhere. Also there is the La Rochelle game [last 16 of the European Challenge Cup].

"If we can progress there it is a fantastic stepping stone for us to go forward and leave the club in a good position going forward to next year."

Newcastle, who have signalled intent for next season with 16 new signings are bottom of the Prem with just one win from 10 games.

Dickens' side face Northampton Saints in the Prem Rugby Cup at Kingston Park on Friday with their fate in that competition also looking locked in as a group stage exit with two games to play.

The European Challenge Cup offers a ray of hope for them to rescue their season with the last 16 game against the French side on 4 April.