50-cap Scotland international George Turner signs for Newcastle

George Turner, who started all five games for Scotland at hooker in last year’s Six Nations, has signed for Newcastle Red Bulls from Harlequins.

Capped 50 times by his country, the 33-year-old has scored 12 international tries in a professional career which began with Edinburgh and saw the bulk of his club rugby played with Glasgow Warriors.

Spending the 2024-25 season with Japanese side Kobelco Steelers and the current campaign with Harlequins, the Edinburgh native is excited by the prospect of joining Newcastle Red Bulls.

“It’s a tremendously exciting time to be joining Newcastle Red Bulls with everything that’s going on up there at the moment,” he said.

“I’m determined to contribute towards the club’s growth as they look to kick on under the new ownership, and to be part of what looks like being a really competitive playing group.”

Newcastle Red Bulls’ sporting general manager Neil McIlroy said: “George is an experienced campaigner who has played a lot of rugby at a high level, and has once again been named in Scotland’s Six Nations squad.

“His knowhow will be invaluable to us during this period where we’re looking to really build the squad, and he forms part of a competitive hooking roster with the guys we already have in our ranks.”

Turner’s signing takes the number of Newcastle’s new recruits to 15.