Newcastle Falcons have confirmed that John Wells is leaving the club to take up a new challenge in Italy.
The former Leicester Tigers and England coach joined the Falcons in 2012, serving as forwards coach, head coach and most recently defence coach during his time at Kingston Park Stadium.
A long-time Leicester flanker during his playing days, he will now take up a new position as defence coach at Italian club, Rugby Colorno.
Newcastle Falcons can confirm that defence coach John Wells is taking up a new challenge in Italy. From everybody at the club, a huge thank you for eight fantastic years, and all the best for your move https://t.co/mT0wnMKX7W pic.twitter.com/7Y5eqJMaaK
— Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) April 20, 2020
Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: “John has made an outstanding contribution to the club over the past eight years, and leaves with our sincere thanks and best wishes.
“Defence has been one of the cornerstones of our return to the Gallagher Premiership, and the foundations that John has helped to lay will stand us in good stead for when rugby eventually resumes.
“I have been closely associated with John in one form or another for well over 30 years, both as a player and coach, and I know he will make a success of his new challenge over in Italy.”
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Looking back on his time with Newcastle, Wells said: “I have had eight fantastic seasons at the Falcons.
“It has been a vibrant and challenging few years with some very memorable performances – most notably at my old club Leicester, which saw us qualify for 2017/18 Premiership play-offs. We became only the second team to beat Toulon at home in the Champions Cup a year later, and most recently over in Jersey in February we produced an almost-perfect team performance in atrocious conditions.”