Fletcher, a mentor to England stars like Toby Flood and Mathew Tait at Kingston Park, left the Falcons earlier this season.

But he has now been appointed as an RFU national academy coach and full-time England under-18 coach from July 1.

Fletcher, 37, ran Newcastle’s academy for four years before taking over as rugby director in 2006.

Kevin Bowring, the RFU’s head of elite coaching development, said: “John brings a wealth of club academy and senior coaching experience to the RFU, and we are very much looking forward to him working within the programme.

“He has an excellent track record in developing young players, and we are confident that he will continue to do that within the national academy and the England under-18 structure.

“John’s move to the RFU further endorses the aims and objectives of the elite coach development (ECD) programme.”

Fletcher added: “I hope to build on the outstanding work that the under-18 management have produced over a number of years.

“To be given the opportunity to work with the best young players in England is very exciting.”