DEAN RICHARDS has removed any speculation about his future by signing a new three-year contract that will see him remain as Newcastle Falcons’ director of rugby until June 2018.

Richards, who initially moved to Kingston Park in 2012, had been linked with a possible move away from the North-East to join one of a handful of Aviva Premiership rivals who are expected to change their head coach this summer.

However, having successfully guided Falcons back into the top-flight in his first season in charge, Richards has committed his long-term future to the club in order to continue the process of re-establishing them among the upper echelons of the English game.

Richards has overseen a successful re-structuring of the academy and coaching set-up, and has also enjoyed some notable achievements with the first team.

Falcons are currently 11th in the Premiership table, but have already amassed more points and tries than last term, are in no danger of suffering relegation to the Championship and are looking forward to a European Challenge Cup quarter-final with Exeter.

“We are very pleased that Dean has agreed to continue as director of rugby for the next three years,” said Falcons chairman Semore Kurdi. “As the most successful director of rugby in Premiership history, he brings tremendous experience, knowledge as well as a winning mentality to the club.

“He is central to the continued growth of Newcastle Falcons over what will be a very exciting period for the club game in England. What he understands better than anyone is how to balance the longer-term planning with the need to put in the right performance on the next weekend’s game.

“His work in bringing through quality, young English qualified players is already starting to have an impact performance wise for the first team. Similarly, the culture that he has instilled throughout the team and coaching staff is first class and is something that will continue to develop and benefit Newcastle Falcons moving forward.”

Richards joined Newcastle following the end of the suspension that was imposed in the wake of the Harlequins ‘Bloodgate’ scandal, and will continue to prioritise the development of young, home-grown talent while also attempting to push Falcons into the top half of the table.

“I’m delighted to have agreed this extension at the club,” said Richards. “We are building a strong and sustainable club here at Newcastle and I’m particularly pleased at how the players, coaching staff and off-field staff have bought into our vision.

“We have come a fair way over the past three years, but there is still a great deal of work to do before we start to realise our potential.  However I am confident that the club is in good shape and we will really start to see the benefits of a lot of good work over the next few seasons.

“I have really enjoyed my time in the North-East so far, so agreeing to stay and continue living in the region was an easy decision.  We also have a fantastic, very knowledgeable and loyal supporter base here at the Falcons and it’s tremendous to see that number growing over the past twelve months.”

Meanwhile, Falcons have tied down another of their key players with centre Juan Pablo Socino having agreed a contract extension to the end of the 2017-18 season.