CARLISLE have appointed Richard Metcalf, the Newcastle Falcons Academy coach, as their new head coach for the 2008/09 season.

Liam Nicholls, who was put in charge for the last few weeks of the season following the sacking of Jeremy Tiffen, had not put in for the job on a permanent basis.

West Cumbrian Metcalf, 46, who now lives in Prudhoe, has been involved with the Falcons Academy for 18 months and before that was their representative in Cumbria for almost four years.

He will continue his current role with the Falcons Academy and says he is looking forward to working with the Carlisle players.

“What I do with the Falcons largely involves individual coaching and I think we only had four fixtures during the season. So to that degree it will be good to get involved again with regular club team rugby.

“From a personal point of it is important, too, for my own development as a coach.

“I have a meeting planned with Martin Plummer, the Carlisle chairman of rugby when I will involve the captain Steve Stamper and map out pre-season plans.

“I know a number of the Carlisle players from coming through the county system and I think the way Carlisle like to play their rugby is similar to my own ideas on the game,” he said.

Metcalf, who is a former player and coach with St. Benedict’s, previously worked as Cumbria’s youth development officer, a role now taken on by Liam Nicholls.

Because of increased commitments with the RFU Nicholls – who is also involved in a coaching role with the Falcons – did not apply for the Carlisle job.

Metcalf says: “Obviously I know Liam really well having worked alongside him and I will be speaking to him fairly soon hoping that he is going to stay involved at Carlisle as a player.”

A statement from the Carlisle club on the appointment said: “Five applicants were interviewed and the post was offerred to, and accepted by, Richard Metcalf.

“He has a wide experience and knowledge of the game and the club look forward to a long and fruitful association and feel that he has the attributes to build on the good work that has been done in past seasons by all of his predecessors.”

Carlisle won their last game opf the season against Driffield to stay in North Two East where they will be joined by Penrith, relegated from North One. Aspatria are also in the same League.

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