Rugby: Russell to coach in England

Former Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby coach Peter Russell will take on the Newcastle Falcons' head coach role when he travels to England this week.

Russell confirmed yesterday he had a two-year contract with the bottom-of-the-table English Premiership club.

"They have been the bottom side for the past three years. Improving that position will be the aim and with good things in place and some good people around me we can achieve that," Russell said.

The former Highlanders assistant coach has always regarded coaching the All Blacks as a long-term goal but Russell, who coached the Magpies for the last five seasons before being axed back in October, said that was no longer the case.

"Going to England means a whole new door opens. I could be there longer than two years," Russell explained.

"It was always a case of waiting for the right job to come along and there have been a lot of good people looking for roles for me during the last four or five months ... not just in New Zealand," Russell said.

Securing the Falcons' role was part of a memorable week for Russell which ended yesterday with five of his 2011 Magpies - hooker Hika Elliot (as injury cover for Keven Mealamu), lock Brodie Retallick, prop Ben Tameifuna, winger Zac Guildford and fullback Israel Dagg - being named in the latest All Blacks squad.

At Newcastle Russell will work under new director of rugby Dean Richards of Harlequins and Leicester fame.

Former England forwards coach John Wells will be part of Russell's coaching staff.

Former Hurricanes centre Tane Tu'ipulotu, Italy lock Carlo del Fava and former Harlequins No8 Chris York will be among the players on Russell's roster.

A three-time Hawke's Bay coach-of-the-year award winner, Russell recently spent time with his former Magpies co-coach Tom Coventry and his fellow Chiefs coaches Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith as part of his preparation for Britain.

With Coventry, Hawke's Bay's 2012 coach-of-the-year award winner, Russell guided the Magpies to three consecutive semifinal finishes in the old Air New Zealand Cup from 2007-09, a disappointing eighth finish in the 2010 ITM Cup and last year won the ITM Cup Championship final to secure promotion to this year's premiership.