By PAUL REES

Alex Codling has taken a roundabout route to land a top coaching job in the Premiership – and believes his experience of different countries and leagues will help him push Newcastle up the table.
The 49-year old former second row, who was capped by England in 2002, played for Richmond, Bedford, Harlequins, Saracens, Northampton and Montpellier. His coaching career has taken in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and France, where he guided Oyonnax to the Top 14 last season before taking up the post as the Falcons’ director of rugby in the summer.
“I have experience all over the...