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Challenge Cup

Christian Wade to make rugby union return against South African opposition

Ian Cameron

142 days ago

Christian Wade of Gloucester celebrates with team-mate Chris Harris after scoring a try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Northampton Saints at Kingsholm Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Christian Wade will make his Newcastle Red Bulls debut on Saturday as the former England winger is named to start against South African visitors the Lions at Kingston Park.

Back in rugby union after a spell with Wigan Warriors, Wade returns nine tries shy of breaking the Gallagher PREM’s all-time scoring record. His first outing in Red Bulls colours comes in EPCR Challenge Cup action, as Newcastle look to build on last weekend’s 24-13 away win over Lyon.

Wade is one of seven personnel changes, with Cameron Hutchison and Elliott Obatoyinbo also coming into a reshaped backline. Ethan Grayson shifts to fly-half, while Ollie Fletcher and Richard Palframan are named in the front row. Tom Christie captains the side from openside after a man-of-the-match display last time out, with Finn Baker and Ollie Leatherbarrow also starting.

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Head coach Alan Dickens said: “It’s starting to come together for us, and I was pleased by a lot of what I saw last weekend.

“Even when we had a player sent to the sin bin we didn’t concede a single point or a single penalty during that period, which has been a big work-on for us. I thought the lads stuck together really well and didn’t allow Lyon a losing bonus point at the end, but it’s only one game and we’re not going overboard.

“The pleasing thing is that we’re starting to see on a match day a lot more of the things we’ve been working on in training during the week. Getting back-to-back wins would represent further progress for us, but we’re taking nothing for granted.”

On Wade’s return to English rugby union, Dickens added: “Christian has been with us for a couple of weeks now and has got a really infectious personality.

“He’s already the life and soul of the place, he’s working hard every day in training and he is someone who has always looked after himself from a physical preparation standpoint.

“He’s a potent finisher with plenty of gas out wide, and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact he can make for us on the field.”

Looking ahead to the challenge posed by the Lions, Dickens said: “The South African sides bring a new dimension to the competition, and it’s a great challenge for us.

“You tend to associate South African rugby with physicality and big set-piece focus, but the Lions are a team who also like to offload and play with plenty of attacking ambition. It will be an interesting test for us, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Newcastle Red Bulls:
15. Boeta Chamberlain, 14. Christian Wade, 13. Alex Hearle, 12. Cameron Hutchison, 11. Elliott Obatoyinbo, 10. Ethan Grayson, 9. Sam Stuart; 1. Adam Brocklebank, 2. Ollie Fletcher, 3. Richard Palframan, 4. Oscar Usher, 5. Finn Baker, 6. Tom Gordon, 7. Tom Christie (captain), 8. Ollie Leatherbarrow.

Replacements: 16. George McGuigan, 17. Micky Rewcastle, 18. Murray McCallum, 19. Jamie Hodgson, 20. Amanaki Mafi, 21. James Elliott, 22. Brett Connon, 23. Harrison Obatoyinbo.