Newcastle

History of Newcastle Red Bulls

The Newcastle rugby team was first formed in 1877, when the team was based in Gosforth and was known as the Gosforth Football Club. Since then, the Newcastle rugby team has been known by many different names, including Newcastle Gosforth (1990-1995), Newcastle Rugby Club (1996), Newcastle Falcons (1997-2025) and now Newcastle Red Bulls.  

Notably, the Newcastle Falcons won the Premiership at the first time of asking in 1998. However, they have since struggled for form and have been relegated from the competition twice (both times they were promoted once again at the first attempt). 

In recent years, Newcastle have languished at the foot of the Premiership table. In fact, the team has finished bottom of the table every season since 2021-22, when they finished second-from-bottom. 

However, the fortunes of the Newcastle rugby union team may be due to change. In 2025, the team was officially taken over by Red Bull. In doing so, the company renamed the club as Newcastle Red Bulls and purchased all of the club’s debt. As a result, the team is now in a much stronger position financially and has begun to recruit heavily. Due to this, hopes are high for the 2025-26 season and beyond. 

Over the years, several notable international stars have played for the Newcastle Falcons rugby team, including Jamie Noon and Maxime Mermoz. 

However, the Newcastle Falcons rugby union side's most famous former player is ex-England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who played 182 times for the Newcastle Falcons between 1997 and 2009. During this period, he scored more than 2,000 points for the club and was capped for England almost 100 times. Famously, Wilkinson kicked a winning drop-goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final when only 26 seconds of extra-time remained.

With the takeover now complete, Newcastle Red Bulls fans are optimistic for the season ahead. Can they compete at the top end of the table once again? Find out with RugbyPass.