Cashed-up Premiership club eyeing All Blacks World Cup runner-up while Franco Smith takes next step after Bulls and Wales links
Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Steve Diamond and Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith.
English side Newcastle Falcons are reportedly looking to bring in All Blacks scrum-half Finlay Christie with him currently out of the international reckoning.
The playmaker was New Zealand’s second choice half-back behind legend of the game Aaron Smith in 2023 and came on as a replacement in the Rugby World Cup final defeat to the Springboks.
Scott Robertson then replaced Ian Foster as the All Blacks head coach and, although Christie was initially in the frame, he has gradually drifted out of contention.
Out in the cold
After coming off the bench against England in the All Blacks’ first Test under Robertson last year and starting a week later, the 29-year-old has not featured since and was not named in the squad for the recent France series.
Cam Roigard has cemented himself as the All Blacks nine, with Cortez Ratima now their usual replacement, while 22-year-old Noah Hotham is highly rated and the next in line.
As a result, Christie has found himself on the periphery of the squad and is assessing his options.
RugbyPass are reporting that Newcastle, who were recently taken over by Red Bull, are seeking to sign the talented half-back as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The Falcons have had far more outgoings than incomings with Ethan Grayson their only new signing so far.
In contrast, Steve Diamond’s side have lost the likes of Argentina international Pedro Rubiolo and academy graduates Ben Redshaw, Callum Chick and Jamie Blamire to Premiership rivals.
They have struggled to compete financially with the other teams in the league in recent years, but that could change with Red Bull coming in and they are potentially seeking a dozen new arrivals.
Franco Smith
Elsewhere, RugbyPass are also claiming that the Scottish Rugby Union have opened talks with Franco Smith about extending his deal at Glasgow Warriors.
Smith has been linked with the Wales and Bulls jobs recently, but those went to Steve Tandy and Johan Ackermann respectively.
He has been open about his desire to coach at international level once again after leading Italy between 2019 and 2021.
His contract runs out at the end of next season, but the Warriors are hoping the South African coach remains having impressed since joining the club in 2022.
Smith had hopes of becoming Scotland head coach but, with Gregor Townsend being given assurances until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, staying at Glasgow now seems likelier.
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