Steve Bates reckons three heads will be better than two when Newcastle Falcons' new season eventually kicks into gear. Taking up the role of coaching and technical director at Kingston Park in the wake of the Borders' demise, Bates returns to the club after four years in Scotland. Joining director of rugby John Fletcher and forwards coach Peter Walton, former England scrum-half Bates cannot wait for the pre-season so he can get his hands dirty. And he believes the extra hands on deck will prove invaluable. Bates said: "I think we can really benefit from all of our minds working in the same direction. What I might bring is to say `are there elements of certain things that you might have missed?' and maybe we can develop things through that. "I anticipate building a real team emphasis on and off the field, as well as improving the individuals as well. "With only two guys it's hard to pick up a squad of 40, but with three of us hopefully we can really focus hard on everyone to make things more efficient and more successful. "If we can maximise our potential we can be a threat to everybody and one of the best sides in England and Europe. "We all have spent a lot of time analysing the game and independently we will have come to different conclusions, so we need to come together, put our heads together and see what we come up with. "And as for my role, we'll clarify that over the next few weeks." When Bates left in 2003 it was under something of a cloud, but when the Fletcher call came, he was back in a shot. And he revealed that had this opportunity not arisen, he might have been forced to leave rugby altogether. He said: "I really enjoyed it there - they were a great bunch of players and a great set-up, and I had never really considered that there would be the chance to come back. "But when the circumstances changed we started talking about the possibility. The things that have happened in Scotland are disappointing, but in some ways this is the perfect solution. "I have a family where the girls are settled at school in Hexham and I really didn't want to move them. "We really love living in the North East, so much so that we had seriously considered me changing careers in order to stay, but this is a great opportunity to continue in professional rugby and utilise the experience gained in my 20-odd years of playing and coaching at the top level. "I have a business degree to fall back on, and I might well have explored the options that would have afforded." Turning his attention to the health of the squad, he said he is excited by the potential of a quickly emerging side. He said: "When I left, Mathew Tait was probably playing in the under-14s at Barnard Castle at the time, but I had heard his name nonetheless. "Toby (Flood) was in the academy system I think at that stage and even Jamie Noon and Tom May were in there emerging as potential players for the future. "I think there are a lot of players out there who will follow suit and move on to England recognition, like Ben Woods and Phil Dowson." | 
