FORMER Ebbw Vale boss Alex Codling has landed the top job at English Premiership club Newcastle.

Mark Laycock will remain in charge of the Falcons on an interim basis until Codling arrives at Kingston Park over the summer to replace Dave Walder.

Codling is currently forwards coach at Oyonnax, who sit atop the second tier of French club rugby, and has also had coaching roles at Harlequins and Ealing.

Before that the once-capped England lock cut his coaching teeth at Eugene Cross Park, taking the Steelmen from Premiership strugglers in January 2006 to title contenders the following season.

Ebbw - who featured the likes of Neil Edwards, Craig Cleaver, Simon Hunt, Ian George, Mathew Williams, Kristian Gay, John Bowd, Jack Lydiate - finished second just two points behind champions Neath.

Now he will be charged with turning the fortunes round at Kingston Park, with the Falcons currently bottom of the Premiership.

"I am very excited to be able to make a contribution to the next chapter in Newcastle Falcons’ history,” said Codling.

"There's lot of exciting talent in the squad, and our job as a coaching staff is to help the players in every way we can to continue to develop and give them real clarity on how we want to play.

"First and foremost, with any team it’s founded on hard work and team spirit. I watched Newcastle’s last game against Gloucester a couple of weeks ago on TV, in which they claimed a victory despite playing with 14 men for more than an hour.

“The way they fought against adversity was incredible and the atmosphere at the ground that night looked fantastic.

“I have seen first-hand as both a player and coach the huge passion the supporters have for the club, and the difference they can make."