Mason Flesch becomes first Canadian in seven years to join PREM Rugby club

Mason Flesch is the first Canadian men’s international to join a PREM Rugby club in seven years, with the Newcastle Red Bulls signing the 26-Test backrower until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Two-time Rugby World Cup representative Evan Olmstead was the last Canadian to play in the top division of English rugby, last suiting up for the Newcastle Falcons in 2019, before sealing a move to Pro D2 side Biarritz Olympique.

61-Test Canada winger DTH van der Merwe was unveiled as a Newcastle signing on February 23, 2017, before later returning to Scotland for his second stint with the Glasgow Warriors. Flesch is the latest Canadian to join Newcastle, completing a whirlwind move to England.

Flesch received a call late last week from Gavin Vaughan, who is the Head of Rugby Recruitment and Analytics. “I didn’t really think as soon as possible was going to be four days later,” with the 26-year-old arriving in Newcastle on Monday.

“It means a lot for me personally. For myself and my family, all the sacrifices that I’ve made and my parents have made to support me through this rugby journey… I’ve had to rely on their support a lot,” Flesch told RugbyPass.

“I had my foot in the door I guess for a while, kind of floating in and out of a big opportunity, and now to finally get one, man, it’s awesome.

“I’ve always looked up to the older Canadian guys that were overseas playing in Europe and now I kind of get to be that for the younger group of Canadians coming through. I’m incredibly proud and honoured to take the challenge on.”

Flesch brings championship-winning pedigree to the PREM Rugby club, after helping the Chicago Hounds complete an undefeated Major League Rugby season. The loose forward scored a try in the MLR Championship Final, as the Hounds defeated the California Legion 35-17.

Chicago teammates then became international rivals as focus shifted to the all-new World Rugby Nations Cup and the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup. Flesch scored three tries in two PNC matches, including a Player of the Match performance in a 19-16 win over the USA Eagles.

Flesch had crossed for a double against Fiji in the PNC semi-finals, before diving over for another five-pointer against the USA. 32 days after the three-point North American thriller,  Flesch has been unveiled as Newcastle’s latest recruit.

“I got a few hours of sleep but I went straight to the headquarters at Kingston Park. They gave me the whole tour of the entire grounds. It’s a pretty set-up,” Flesh said.

“They’ve got everything you need and more. I can’t complain about anything.”

Dan McFarland took over as Newcastle’s head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season, overseeing a player group that includes prolific try-scorer Christian Wade, who is nearing Chris Ashton’s all-time PREM record of 101.

Former All Black Hoskins Sotutu, Olympic medallist Werner Kok, Los Pumas lock Franco Molina, Maori All Blacks prop Pouri Rakete-Stones and three-time Super Rugby winner Tom Christie are all part of the Red Bulls roster for this season.

“I just want to get to know all of them, I want to play with all of them. They’ve been here, they understand the way this competition works. There’s a ton of experience,” he added.

“Christian Wade, obviously, he’s been a big standout guy with him chasing the all-time try record. He’s got a tone of experience and just seems like a wicked nice man off the pitch as well.

“Everyone’s like that in this club so far. It’s been an incredibly warm welcome. I just want to get to know all of them.”

Flesch joins the Red Bulls less than one year before Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, which Canada qualified for during the 2025 PNC. Canada have been drawn in Pool C along with Argentina, Fiji and Spain.

Canada scored 29 points in a defeat to Fiji in the 2026 PNC semi-finals, with Flesch starring with a double in that match. The blindside flanker’s second try was particularly impressive, having toed the ball ahead twice before regathering close to the try line.

The Canadians faced Spain during the inaugural Nations Cup Tests, with the upcoming Rugby World Cup rivals playing out an entertaining 42-all draw. As Canada prepare to return to the World Cup stage, Flesh sees this Newcastle move as perfect preparation.

“It’s only going to be a positive for my game. Now I have the opportunity to be in a full-time training environment and playing rugby all the way up to the World Cup.

“There’s no negative there. I’ll be under some good coaching from the rugby side and from strength and conditioning.

“This is going to put me in a position to probably be in the best physical shape of my life. Being in a full-time environment for so long, especially before this competition comes up. I’m incredibly excited to see how far I can push myself physically and of course on the field with my rugby skills.”