How Newcastle Red Bulls could line up next season! ‘Devastating pack’ with FIVE internationals
What the Newcastle Red Bulls starting XV could look like next season when the international stars arrive
Newcastle Red Bulls are on a full spending spree at the moment, having already secured the services of eight players ahead of the 2025/26 season.
This is how the PREM strugglers could line up next season:
Backs
15 Josh Hodge: Hodge is returning to his former club after six years at Exeter Chiefs, where he’s become an important first-team player, even helping his side to reach the final of the PREM Rugby Cup last season. Now capped for England’s ‘A’ side, the 25-year-old brings with him a host of top-level experience at full-back, as well as his distinctive running style and eye for the try-line.
14 Christian Wade: Second on the all-time PREM try-scorers list, and catching up fast with Chris Ashton on top. Wade returned to rugby in 2022 after a period away with the NFL, but has since had time with Racing 92 in France and Gloucester before arriving at Newcastle. He still boasts a bucket-load of pace and a step that can shatter ankles.
13 Alex Hearle: The former Worcester Warriors man has made the number 13 shirt his own since arriving at Newcastle. Recently signing a new deal until 2028, the 27-year-old has appeared in every Newcastle game this season.
12 Sam Arnold: Striking up quite the partnership with Hearle, the Irish centre has proved a rock in Newcastle’s midfield, and played a huge part in both Newcastle Red Bulls’ first victory in the PREM and their first win in Europe.
11 Elliott Obatoyinbo: An incredibly elusive winger, the 27-year-old has become a key attacking threat since arriving from Saracens. Initially employed as a full-back, Obatoyinbo has now found success predominantly on the wing. Although he’s only scored seven tries in the past seven years, it can easily be argued that’s down to the teams he’s played in, rather than based purely on his individual finishing ability.
10 Ethan Grayson: The son of former England fly-half Paul Grayson is making his own name in the top-flight game. Physically imposing and still only 23, he’s got an opportunity to grow into the shirt with some real talent around him.
9 Raffi Quirke: The England rookie will make the move from Sale Sharks, where he had made the shirt his own since ‘graduating’ from the shadow of World Cup winner Faf de Klerk. The talented number nine has struggled with injury in recent times, but will hope for a fresh start when he arrives in Tyneside.
Forwards
8 Hoskins Sotutu: The statement signing of the Red Bulls’ new reign. The 27-year-old New Zealand international will arrive from the Blues in the summer, following a high-profile exit from the All Blacks in 2024 when he declined their call-up to the end-of-year internationals. He is expected to become a key member of the squad when he arrives, as he uses his giant frame to power the squad forwards.
7 Tom Christie: Another Kiwi, the former Crusaders star arrived this season and has since made the openside flanker position his own. Like Sotutu, at 27 years old, he’s in the prime of his career, so he has been seen as a real coup for the club.
6 Max Hicks: Following the trend of New Zealand-born back rowers, the talented 26-year-old Hicks will add real firepower to the blindside. At 6’6″, Hicks is as versatile as a forward comes, able to cover anywhere along the back or second-row. A former Māori All Black, he is expected to raise the game when he arrives.
5 Rusi Tuima: Fijian-born but raised in England, the 25-year-old now boasts an England A cap after his impressive performances for Exeter Chiefs in recent years. The cousin of Bath star Joe Cokanasiga is just a big, weighing in at over 20 stone, so is expected to add real weight to the Newcastle scrum.
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4 Franco Molina: Another Exeter Chiefs star added to the mix, the Argentina international will add yet more class to this devastating pack. He has notably been involved in some huge international victories, including starts in both recent wins over the All Blacks and one over the Wallabies.
3 Elliot Millar Mills: A Scotland international and Northampton regular, the 33-year-old will insert bags of experience, as he looks to give his side a solid platform from which to work off.
2 George McGuigan: Called in to replace Jamie Blamire, the 32-year-old has become the first-choice hooker at Newcastle since his arrival from the Welsh side, Ospreys. The owner of a solid lineout throw and capable of finding the try-line, the Irishman is expected to continue to be an important member of the squad when the new season arrives.
1 Adam Brocklebank: A Newcastle stalwart. He’s spent his entire professional career at the club and has become the number one man to wear the number one shirt. Fun Fact: He listens to deep house music before every match.