Tuesday 1 May 2018 20:06, UK
Newcastle Falcons’ director of rugby Dean Richards has signed a three-year contract extension.
Victory over Leicester Tigers last weekend guaranteed the Falcons at least a fourth-place finish in the Aviva Premiership and a place in the semi-finals for the first time in the club's history.
Newcastle also reached for the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup, and Richards is confident there is more to come from his side.
Speaking about his new deal, Richards said: "I feel passionate about the club, I always wanted to remain here and there is still a lot of work to do in terms of continuing the great progress we are making."
Newcastle face third-placed Wasps on Saturday at a sold-out Kingston Park in a game that will confirm who they face in the play-offs, which take place on May 19.
Exeter Chiefs will finish in first place while Saracens guaranteed themselves second place and a home semi-final with a thumping victory over London Irish last weekend.
Falcons chairman Semore Kurdi believes Richards deserves huge credit for guiding the club, who finished in eighth last season, into the play-offs.
"Everyone within rugby knows what an outstanding job Dean has done here both on and off the field, and it is fantastic news that he will be with us for the long term," Kurdi said.
