Ward has made more than 250 appearances for Falcons

Newcastle Falcons prop Micky Ward will combine playing duties with a coaching role under new head coach Alan Tait at Kingston Park this season.

Ward, 31, has made more than 250 appearances for the Falcons and Tait is keen to tap into the front-rower's wealth of Premiership experience.

"He's got the experience as a Premiership player himself and has a natural way about him," Tait said.

"He is fantastic with the other props here in terms of the advice he gives."

Tait added: "Micky will lead the scrummaging sessions as well as giving feedback and analysis to the players, and he has the full support of myself and Paul Moriarty.

"He has already started this week by taking his first session, the lads seemed to have responded well and it's just another small way in which we're looking to make gains this season."

I'm anxious that my coaching duties don't affect my role as a player, to which I am still totally committed Newcastle Falcons player-coach Micky Ward

The added responsibility is something that Ward is looking forward to be taking on, but is keen to retain his playing registration for the coming campaign.

"I've completed my RFU level three coaching course a couple of years ago, and as well as helping coach the Newcastle University team I've also been having an input at my local club side in Wallsend," Tait added.

"When Alan Tait and Paul Moriarty first approached me about the idea of taking on the front row sessions with the Falcons I knew it was something I wanted to take on.

"Hopefully the lads can get something out of the feedback I give them and the sessions we do on the scrummaging side.

"I'm anxious that my coaching duties don't affect my role as a player, to which I am still totally committed, and I will be training as usual with the rest of the squad.

"But I do realise that this is a huge opportunity for me, and I'm determined to make a success of it."

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