Darren Fearn leaves Doncaster Knights to rejoin Newcastle Red Bulls as transition coach

Darren Fearn is returning to Newcastle Red Bulls as a transition coach, leaving Doncaster Knights where he had most recently served as head coach after an earlier stint as the Championship club’s forwards coach.

Fearn will begin his new role on July 1st, reporting to Newcastle’s academy and pathways director John Fletcher. His remit will focus on bridging the gap between the senior academy and the first team, supporting confirmation-phase coaches as players make the step up.

“Our senior academy squad is considerably bigger next season so it’s important we put in place the appropriate level of support and expertise, and in Darren we are certainly getting someone who will offer that,” Fletcher said. “He has played for the club, knows the region well and has been involved with both universities in the city as well as coaching England Students. All the feedback we’ve had on him has been outstanding.”

Fearn’s connection to the North East runs deep. A former prop who represented Newcastle, Sale and Bedford during his playing career, he began coaching at Newcastle University and Northumbria University before taking charge of England Students. His children were born in the city.

“I loved my time as a player at Newcastle and it’s great to be coming back,” Fearn said. “The club means a lot to me. They gave me my first contract, a lot of my close friends are there and from a sentimental point of view as well as a professional one it’s a really exciting move.”

The departure leaves Doncaster facing a significant rebuild in their coaching structure. The Knights have already lost head coach Joe Ford and now Fearn, with attack coach Jacob Ford also set to join Sale Sharks as a transition coach. Director of rugby Sir Ian McGeechan’s club confirmed they are “reviewing several options” to assemble a new coaching team.

“Doncaster Knights are reviewing several options open to them to appoint and rebuild a strong coaching team to work with existing quality players and others yet to be confirmed,” the club said in a statement.