Newcastle Red Bulls confirm eye-watering list of 26 player exits

Newcastle Red Bulls have confirmed a lengthy list of departures at the end of the season, with a total of 26 players set to leave Kingston Park as the club continues its rebuild under new ownership.

Among the headline exits is veteran scrum-half Sam Stuart, who departs after making 134 appearances across nine seasons on Tyneside. Fellow long-serving back Elliott Obatoyinbo also moves on after five years and 68 appearances for the club.

Lock Seb de Chaves leaves having played 93 games across two spells with Newcastle, while Freddie Lockwood departs after scoring 13 tries in 82 appearances. Flanker Tom Gordon will also leave after two seasons in the North East.

Newcastle will also say goodbye to several experienced international names. Hooker Hame Faiva and Wales full-back Liam Williams had already confirmed their retirements earlier this season, while Japan international Amanaki Mafi is also among those leaving the club.

Elsewhere, fly-half Ben Healy is set to join La Rochelle in France, Fergus Lee-Warner will move to Grenoble and second-row John Hawkins has agreed a switch to Worcester Warriors. Twins Callum and Connor Hancock will both join Doncaster, while a number of short-term signings, including Bryn Gordon, Jamie Clark and Healy, will move on after brief spells with the club.

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“On behalf of everybody at the club I would like to thank all of our departing players for their contribution during their time here,” sporting general manager Neil McIlroy said.

“The group have been outstanding to work with during a period of huge change at the club, and they can all be proud of their efforts as part of the first wave of Newcastle Red Bulls players.

“There is understandable excitement regarding the future here, but it’s hugely important we acknowledge the part played by guys who are moving on. We wish them all the very best for whatever next steps they have in place, and they will always be welcome here.”

Full list of departing Newcastle players: Eduardo Bello, Tim Cardall, Boeta Chamberlain, Jamie Clark, Max Clark, Freddie Clarke, Stefan Coetzee, Luan de Bruin, Seb de Chaves, Jack Dickens, Connor Doherty, Bryn Gordon, Tom Gordon, Joel Grayson, Callum Hancock, Connor Hancock, John Hawkins, Ben Healy, Jamie Hodgson, Fergus Lee-Warner, Freddie Lockwood, Amanaki Mafi, Cameron Neild, Junior Newton, Elliott Obatoyinbo, Sam Stuart.