Gallagher PREM 2025/26 squads rated: Newcastle Red Bulls

The Red Bulls’ squad has been an evolving beast over the summer, with the core of players left behind augmented by Steve Diamond’s ‘dirty dozen’ – the 12 signings made possible by the energy giant’s takeover of the club.

There has been a steady flow of transfer news since Red Bull saved a club left flailing financially, and the fans have fully bought into the transformation.

While the squad has been sprinkled with star dust following the signings of the likes of Liam Williams and Christian Wade, the home support that Newcastle can now command could become the equivalent of the club’s unofficial marquee player.

The fans turned out in droves for the Cup win over Harlequins, the first match of the club’s reincarnation, which attracted a record attendance for a Cup game of 9,089.

As a team big on physicality, Newcastle will be true to their nickname and adopt a smash the door down type of approach, which will go down well with the locals who love a tryer.

That will probably be enough to improve on last season’s two wins, but will it be enough to see them avoid a fourth consecutive season rooted to the foot of the table? Only time will tell.

Diamond has already warned that success won’t happen overnight, but with the majority of the new signings on one-year deals, the pressure to perform is there from the off, and they’ll be well up for the challenge.

It’s been years since there’s been this level of excitement at Kingston Park; this could be the start of something special.

Loosehead prop: Adam Brocklebank, Connor Hancock+, Murray McCallum, Micky Rewcastle
Murray McCallum is fast turning into a talisman with his bursts in open play and starts just ahead of Adam Brocklebank in the battle for the No.1 jersey. Those two shouldered the bulk of the work last season and will be expected to do so again. Micky Rewcastle is the next cab off the rank, having played 20 first-team games last season. Depth rating: 6/10 

Hooker: Hame Faiva, Ollie Fletcher, George McGuigan
George McGuigan starts his third spell at Newcastle, and like the proverbial son, his arrival back on Tyneside is most welcome. McGuigan is the ultimate poacher of tries close to the line, so Jamie Blamire’s departure to Leicester has been offset in that respect. McGuigan and Italian international Hame Faiva, who arrived in the summer from Bath, are two experienced operators, while big things are expected of young Ollie Fletcher, who has started to feature regularly in the last year or so. Depth rating: 6.5/10

Tight-head prop: Eduardo Bello, Luan De Bruin, Callum Hancock, Richard Palframan
Eduardo Bello did not play a single minute last season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury while on international duty and is still in rehab. Once he’s available, the Red Bulls look fairly well stocked in the tight-head department, with Steve Diamond having Luan De Bruin and the rumbustious Richard Palframan to choose from. The Hancock twins, Callum and Connor, can play tight-head, too. Depth rating: 7/10

Lock: Finn Baker, Tim Cardall, Freddie Clarke, Sebastian De Chaves, John Hawkins, Jamie Hodgson, Fergus Lee-Warner, Adam Scott, Oscar Usher
Dynamic loose forward Fergus Lee-Warner is a good acquisition; you don’t look good in the Bath pack unless you have something about you, while the equally versatile Freddie Clarke is a statement signing, too, after around 200 games for Gloucester in 10 seasons at the Cherry & Whites. Five-cap Scotland international Jamie Hodgson has also been added to the mix, with Sebastian De Chaves, Tim Cardall and young Oscar Usher also competing for a spot in the second row. Depth rating: 7/10

Back-row: Tom Christie, Tom Gordon, Ollie Leatherbarrow, Freddie Lockwood, Amanaki Mafi, Cameron Neild, Charlie Turnbull
Tom Gordon and Tom Christie are two all-action flankers who always make their mark, while Cam Nield, if he can stay fit, provides the dog. Ollie Leatherbarrow and Freddie Lockwood bring youthful exuberance, while 35-year-old No.8 Amanaki Mafi will take the fight to the opposition for as long as his ageing legs will carry him. Depth rating: 7.5/10

Scrum-half: Simon Benitez Cruz, Joe Davis, James Elliott, Sam Stuart
Until Simon Benitez Cruz arrives from Rugby Championship duty with Argentina, Newcastle will be heavily reliant on seasoned campaigner Sam Stuart. Joe Davis and James Elliott have only got 20 appearances between them. Depth rating 5.5/10.

Fly-half: Boeta Chamberlain, Brett Connon, Ethan Grayson
This looks like a fairly even fight for the No.10 jersey, although Connon, the incumbent fly-half, has been named there for the season’s opener against Saracens, with Boeta Chamberlain operating at full-back. Ethan Grayson impressed in a short spell at Newcastle while on loan from San Diego Legion during the MLR off-season and has returned on a one-year deal to provide the Red Bulls with another playmaking option. None of the trio, though, would be considered first-choice at any other PREM club. Depth rating: 6.5/10

Centre: Sammy Arnold, Max Clark, Connor Doherty
Sammy Arnold’s rampaging runs are key to getting Newcastle on the front foot, but the Red Bulls could do with a quality 13 outside him to provide a bit more guile. Arnold can play there, but is more at home as a barnstorming 12. Oli Spencer, who started the season with a try on the wing against Harlequins, has been deployed there in the past as well. However, Steve Diamond might have to get the cheque book out before too long and bring in another specialist centre. Depth rating: 5.5/10

Winger: Nathan Greenwood, Alex Hearle, Harrison Obatoyinbo, Christian Wade
With Christian Wade not arriving until December after taking a well-deserved break between his spell in rugby league and return to rugby union, Newcastle will have to rely on Alex Hearle – one of their standout performers in 2024/25 – and ex-GB 7s international Nathan Greenwood to deliver the goods, unless Liam Williams shifts to the edge. Depth rating: 6/10

Full-back: Joel Grayson, Elliott Obatoyinbo, Oli Spencer, Sam Waugh, Liam Williams
Liam Williams, 34, is the joint-most-capped player to play for Newcastle, along with Peter Stringer. Between the 98-cap international and the equally wiry Elliott Obatoyinbo, Newcastle have two very decent options at 15, and then you have the versatile Boeta Chamberlain to add to the mix. Joel Grayson isn’t currently available for selection. Depth rating: 7/10

Overall depth rating: 64.5

Gallagher PREM ratings table

1. Bath – 83pts
2. Northampton – 80pts
3. Leicester – 78.5pts
4= Bristol – 78pts
4= Sale Sharks – 78pts
6. Saracens – 75.5pts
7. Harlequins – 74.5pts
8. Exeter Chiefs – 70.5pts
9. Gloucester – 68pts
10. Newcastle – 64.5pts