Can the North East side climb off the bottom for the first time in five seasons?
Newcastle Red Bulls may have changed their name to reflect their new energy drink payroll, but it was still a case of the same old, same old last season. The northeast side was supportive Gallagher PREM for the fourth consecutive year, leaving their long-suffering fans hoping their new owners would give the players, well, wings. The question is, will new high profile recruits like Raffi Quirke, Hoskins Sotutu and – if/when he arrives – Fehi Fineanganofo be enough to lift them up the league?
We’ll review each one Gallagher PREM and United Rugby Championship in preparation for the big start of the new season on Friday, September 25. Keep coming back The world of rugby for more.
Newcastle Red Bulls Discussion Points
A pre-season camp in Salzburg, immersing himself in the world of Red Bull, helped confirm that life has changed forever in the North East. The club uses the label ‘A New Dawn’, and why not? Old Dawn saw them on an annual basis.
Our list of ins and outs on this page only partially indicates the extent of the change at Kingston Park as a brand new squad takes shape. A year after the buyout of Red Bull, the revolution begins for real.
It is still uncertain whether Hurricanes winger Fehi Finegananofo will join following his call-up to the All Blacks squad for Greatest Rivalry tour, while Jojo Nasova was released from the contract for personal reasons. Otherwise, an array of Southern Hemisphere stars and PREM talent will take on the task of restoring Newcastle to their former eminence. It’s been 28 years since they were champions of England.
A key player
Hoskins Sotutu, 28, signed a statement when he agreed to trade the Blues for the Red Bulls last year. The top number 8 won 14 caps for New Zealand and played a key role in the Blues’ 2024 Super Rugby title.
A heavy try scorer, Sotutu has soft skills to match his powerful moves. “He’s an X-factor player and he’ll get people off their feet,” says general manager Neil McIlroy.
Raffi Quirke will be looking to force his way into Steve Borthwick’s England plans this season, especially with the World Cup just around the corner (David Rogers/Getty Images)
One to watch
Livewire Raffi Quirke became England’s youngest scrum-half in more than 90 years when he made his Test debut in 2021. A string of injuries has taken him off the radar at Sale, so joining Newcastle represents a clean sheet and a chance to revive his career.
He has only just turned 25 and his recent inclusion in the England squad will encourage him.
Trainer box
New boss Dan McFarland, Ulster’s head coach from 2018 to 2024, arrives on Tyneside after helping Kobelco Steelers win Japan’s top flight. Calum MacRae (defence) returns to the club while Stephen Jones (attack), Micky Ward, Mark Laycock and Lee Dickson complete the line-up.
Note: The current 10-team league began in 2023-24.
Newcastle Red Bulls Prediction 2026-27
Rome was not built in a day. They still look like they will occupy the bottom half of the table.
Newcastle Red Bulls 2026-27 quotas
50-1
Vital statistics
Newcastle’s 45-42 win over Sale in May – from 35-10 down – was their biggest comeback in Premiership history.
New Zealand international Hoskins Sotutu is a big name for Newcastle this season (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Newcastle Red Bulls signings
- Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
- Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hurricanes)
- Hurricanes
- Franco Molina (Western Force)
- Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks)
- George Turner (Harlequins)
- Zuriel Togiatama (Fijian drugs)
- Max Hicks (Perpignan)
- Rusi Tuima (Exeter Chiefs)
- Will Rigg (Exeter Chiefs)
- Elliot Millar Mills (Northampton Saints)
- Sam Graham (Northampton Saints)
- Tom West (Northampton Saints)
- Chris Harris (Bath)
- Werner Kok (Ulster)
Newcastle Red Bulls ddepartures
- Fergus Lee-Warner (Grenoble)
- Eduardo Bello (Ulster)
- Boeta Chamberlain (Lions)
- John Hawkins (Worcester Warriors)
- Jamie Clark (Cornish Pirates)
- Amanaki Mafi (Published)
- Cam Neild (published)
- Elliot Obatoyinbo (Published)
- Seb de Chaves (published)
- Tom Gordon (released)
- Sam Stuart (released)
- Freddie Clarke (released)
- Freddie Lockwood (published)
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