Newcastle confirm 23rd signing of mega summer

Newcastle Red Bulls have confirmed the signing of Argentina tighthead Francisco Moreno, as reported by RugbyPass, with the 24-year-old becoming the club’s 23rd senior addition of a remarkable summer recruitment drive.

Moreno will move to Tyneside from Tarucas, the Tucumán-based side that compete in Super Rugby Americas, after agreeing a one-year deal with the Gallagher PREM outfit. The 6-foot-1, 143kg prop only made his Test debut for Argentina earlier this month.

That appearance came in a start in the Pumas’ 17-10 defeat to South Africa in Buenos Aires. Moreno is currently with Felipe Contepomi’s squad in Jujuy as they prepare to face Australia on Saturday and will link up with Newcastle once his international commitments have concluded.

He will join fellow Argentinians Franco Molina and Simón Benítez Cruz in the North East, while his arrival further strengthens Dan McFarland’s options at tighthead. Scotland international Elliot Millar-Mills and former Sale Sharks prop James Harper have also arrived this summer, while Pouri Rakete-Stones is capable of covering both sides of the scrum.

Moreno’s signing is the latest piece of a sweeping rebuild at Kingston Park after Newcastle released 26 players at the end of last season. In addition to their 23 senior recruits, nine academy players are also being brought into the senior squad ahead of their Gallagher PREM opener against champions Northampton Saints on September 25.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Northampton

11:45

25 Sep 26

Newcastle

All Stats and Data

Head coach McFarland said: “Francisco is a relatively young tight-head who has already taken his first steps in international rugby, and shows a lot of promise.

“He’s a big man who will add to our front-row depth, and we look forward to integrating him into our group when he arrives here.”