Newcastle praise ex-Lions star as triple threat selection gear up for fellow strugglers

Head coach Alan Dickens has paid tribute to the increasing influence of former Wales star Stephen Jones, who runs a Newcastle Red Bulls attack that could end a 399-day wait for a Gallagher PREM victory against fellow strugglers Gloucester at Kingston Park on Friday night.

Gloucester are under fire for their own poor start to the season, which sees them second from bottom, and they face a Red Bulls side that registered a first league point after a stirring performance at Bristol. A cold night in the North East, where the predicted windchill will make it feel like minus five, could expose the West Country side.

With Jones, the former Wales and British and Irish Lions No 10, helping deliver the attacking game plan, Red Bulls have the chance to end their long wait for a league win, which dates back to November 29, 2024 when they defeated Saracens. With European Challenge Cup games against Perpignan and Dragons, who are struggling in their own leagues, there is a real opportunity for the club to start the New Year in winning style.

While 2025 did not bring any league wins, it did deliver financial security with the arrival of Red Bull as the new owners, and consultant Gregor Townsend, the Scotland coach, is helping shape next season’s squad, although Dickens revealed the former outside half does not get involved in the day-to-day coaching of the team.

Christian Wade, who is expected to face his old club, Liam Williams and Tom Christie are among the new names that have already bolstered the squad, with Josh Hodge and Hoskins Sotutu to be joined by a number of other new arrivals next season.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Newcastle

11:45

2 Jan 26

Gloucester

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Jones, the former Wales, Scarlets, London Wasps and Moana Pasifika attack coach, has increased the club’s coaching expertise and has made an immediate impact on Brett Connon, the outside half, and Dickens, who has yet to discover if he will be part of the coaching set-up next season, said: “Stephen Jones was a world class player and with Brett you can see the influence he has had and it is massively important for his development (as a No.10). That nous and understanding from someone who has been there and won it and been coaching at a very high level for 15 years.

“As a coaching team we talk about the kick chase game and the line we have to have chasing the kick and Brett has been outstanding with his kicking game and that has been the influence of Jonesy coming in.”

Dickens has also been impressed with the impact Ollie Leatherbarrow has made, with the Scotland U20 player making his PREM debut against Bath and putting in another big performance by scoring against Bristol. He added: “Ollie has created competition in the squad and played a lot of U20 games but only made his first start in the league against Bath and has done really.”