It has been over half a season since Newcastle Falcons were bought out by the Red Bull group to become Newcastle Red Bulls and in doing so, enjoy the fruits of one of company valued at $22.15bn in 2024.
It has been over half a season since Newcastle Falcons were bought out by the Red Bull group to become Newcastle Red Bulls and in doing so, enjoy the fruits of one of company valued at $22.15bn in 2024.
Hopes were high that with debts gone, a club reinvigorated, and money to spend on new signings, that the one-time English champions would rise like a phoenix after years of mediocrity on the pitch, and shrinkage off it.
In reality, the proximity to the start of the season meant that most of their targets were gone for the time being, while others were coming in late after the end of the Super Rugby or Currie Cup seasons.
Right now they continue where they left off last season, bottom of the Gallagher PREM Rugby table, with one victory, and a 70-point flogging from Saracens last time out. Hope comes in the EPCR Challenge Cup, where they took three wins from four to set up a Round of 16 home match against La Rochelle. Another reason for their fans to dream.
With a near two-month break while the league closes down for the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, ATR asks what can be done to reel in the rest of the PREM.
Patience
While next season doesn’t start until late September, most clubs are hoping to have their business for 2026-27 tied up by the end of February. It means by the time they return for pre-season in July the majority of the squad is ready to hit the ground running, with the odd exception for players returning from international duty.
Red Bull’s late purchase of Newcastle, completed on 12th August meant that they were already playing catch up, and while a few big signings were made, they had already missed pre-season, when so much of the squad building is completed. Then you add in Christian Wade, their marquee signing from Wigan Warriors, who didn’t arrive until December after the end of the Super League season and a holiday, and it is hardly surprising that they have struggled to make too much of an impact.
A few or the building blocks are in place, and with new arrivals set, the team is beginning to take shape. They aren’t going anywhere; there’s no relegation, so Red Bulls can take their time. They’ve been in worse positions and come out the other side, so a few months more, plus a full pre-season, should mean we see the full Red Bulls potential next season.
Coaching Clarity
When Red Bull bought out the clubs, Steve Diamond was the long time, and long suffering Director of Rugby. He had kept the club fighting when there were fears it could go out of business. He negotiated a £4million loan from Premiership Rugby that kept the club afloat last season and even put his hand in his pocket to cover some costs.
Yet, less than two months after Red Bull completed their takeover, he was gone. Relieved of his duties, with a brief note of thanks for his efforts with the club. In came Alan Dickens, promoted to head coach, with former Scotland prop Neil McIlroy brought in to look after the forwards, and they were later joined by Stephen Jones to oversee the backline, to good effect. McIlroy later became sporting general manager and appears the one focused on bringing in new faces, which raises the question of who has the last say on team matters, him or Dickens.
Meanwhile, in the background is Gregor Townsend, who was named as a Red Bull coaching consultant for 30 days a year, alongside his Scotland men’s team duties. Quite what that involves hasn’t been fully exchanged, and many consider it a dry run for the 1997 Lion to take over after the 2027 World Cup.
With the changes taking place, there needs to be a clear hierarchy, to ensure everyone is pulling in the same direction.
Newcastle Red Bulls
Newcastle Red Bulls
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Newcastle Red BullsComplete The Spine
Red Bulls have done well to build a spine to their team. George McGuigan at hooker, Amanaki Mafi at number eight, and scrumhalf Simon Benitez Cruz are all elite level players. For now, they don’t have someone of that level at either flyhalf or fullback. Ethan Grayson and Elliot Obatoyinbo are developing well, but they aren’t at the level Red Bulls need right now.
Otherwise, their new signings will all help the team improve. Fiji’s Joji Nasova and Kiwi winger Fehi Fineanganofo will add more threat out wide, Scotland prop Elliott Millar-Mill will stiffen the scrum, and Exeter Chiefs duo Rusi Tuima and Will Rigg will bring power to the backrow and three-quarter line respectively.
Josh Hodge’s arrival should solidify the fullback problem, not least with his booming left foot, but among the raft of signings there hasn’t yet been a high-level flyhalf signed. We realise that these are often the most sought-after, and the highest paid, but without one they are unlikely to make the progress they want.
Raffi Raises The Bar
Raffi Quirke’s arrival in September is the one to make rugby fans sit up and begin to the take the Red Bull project seriously. Here is a player from a rival, better performing PREM Rugby club, with England aspirations, who has told the world that Red Bulls are the team for him.
From a playing perspective, it works. Benitez Cruz has shown why he’s Argentina’s first choice in the number nine shirt, but like many of the new arrivals, he too was a late arrival, and only donned the black shirt for the first time after his duties in the Rugby Championship were complete. With Quirke on board, they won’t be lack in that position for the early weeks of he season, especially as Benitez Cruz is more likely to be involved in the November internationals, or the Nations Championship as they become every other year.
Quirke’s move will make players sit up and take notice, wonder why he’s gone there and what tempted him, the money or the possibilities? If, it’s the latter then who wouldn’t want to hear the dream that Red Bulls are selling, or see who is next through the Kingston Park door.