Newcastle name their first team of the Red Bull era

Steve Diamond has named his first team of the Newcastle Red Bulls era for their PREM Rugby Cup clash with Harlequins on Friday at Kingston Park.

Despite a busy summer, only three players will make their debut in what is the first outing for the team ahead of the new season. Japan No.8 Amanaki Mafi and Scotland lock Jamie Hodgson will make their debuts in the pack, while winger Joel Grayson will also make his first appearance.

New signing George McGuigan will captain the side, though this is now the start of his third stint at the club.

Loosehead prop Murray McCallum, meanwhile, will make his 50th appearance for the club.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Newcastle

17 - 39

Full-time

Saracens

All Stats and Data

Though many would have expected more debutants in this starting XV, Diamond explained his decision-making: “We only got taken over four weeks ago, and we’ve done well to put together a squad during that time.

“By the sheer nature of entering the recruitment cycle late, we’ve had to bring in guys from the southern hemisphere, many of whom won’t arrive for a little while, but the enthusiasm and positivity around the place is tangible.”

Looking ahead to the match, and the season as a whole, he said: “The buzz around the whole thing is brilliant, and it should be a great occasion.

“Our magnificent supporters have really stuck with us over the last few years, for which we are incredibly grateful, and we now have this additional wave of momentum behind us as we take it to the next level.

“Longer term, it’s onwards and upwards regarding where the club is going, but that’s not my task for the moment. I’ve got to put together and nurture a squad which will be highly competitive in the Gallagher PREM this season, and Friday’s cup game against Harlequins is a big opportunity to hit the ground running.

“I’m not looking any further ahead than that. It’s a massive occasion, being the first game of a new era, and our supporters are voting with their feet.”

Newcastle Red Bulls XV: 15 Alex Hearle, 14 Oli Spencer, 13 Sammy Arnold, 12 Max Clark, 11 Joel Grayson, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Murray McCallum, 2 George McGuigan (captain), 3 Luan de Bruin, 4 Oscar Usher, 5 Jamie Hodgson, 6 Cameron Neild, 7 Tom Gordon, 8 Amanaki Mafi.
Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Micky Rewcastle, 18 Callum Hancock, 19 Seb de Chaves, 20 Freddie Lockwood, 21 James Elliott, 22 Rhys Beeckmans, 23 Nathan Greenwood.

Not available for selection: Eduardo Bello, Simon Benitez Cruz, Adam Brocklebank, Tim Cardall, Boeta Chamberlain, Tom Christie, Freddie Clarke, Joe Davis, Connor Doherty, Ethan Grayson, Fergus Lee-Warner, Elliott Obatoyinbo, Richard Palframan, Christian Wade.

Harlequins XV: 15 Nick David, 14 Cassius Cleaves, 13 Bryn Bradley, 12 Sean Kerr, 11 Cameron Anderson, 10 Jamie Benson, 9 Max Green; 1 Jordan Els, 2 Jack Walker, 3 Cameron Doak, 4 Jonny Green, 5 Stephan Lewies (captain), 6 Zach Carr, 7 Tom Lawday, 8 Lucas Schmid.
Replacements: 16 Sam Riley, 17 Jamie Miller, 18 Ollie Streeter, 19 Harry Browne, 20 Joe Launchbury, 21 Elliot Williams, 22 Jake Murray, 23 Hayden Hyde.