Christian Wade: Newcastle winger on his quest to be Prem’s leading try-scorer

Wade’s eclectic career brings him to the north east where he can add a touch of stardust to the Red Bull revolution.

Winless in the Prem this season and indeed in the competition since November 2024, Newcastle could do with a jet-heeled contribution.

Wade worked with a personal trainer in his time off in between the conclusion of his spell with Wigan and his move north and he is still trying to find ways to get quicker.

After a previous three-year spell in American football with the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills and then more recently in the 13-player code, Wade has worked on footwork, spatial awareness and one-on-one contact to enhance his craft.

It is clearly working as he scored 11 tries in 14 Prem games for Gloucester last season, while he grabbed two tries in his only two Super League games for the Warriors, showing there are few better finishers with the oval ball than him.

And that confidence is a big factor in why he believes he can chase down former England winger Ashton’s mark.

“If you look at my career, my [season] average is higher than nine,” he added. “I am joining the league late and there is a limited number of games, so it will be a challenge.

“But I’m backing myself to still go for that record. If I don’t make it, I don’t make it, but my vision is to go for it and the boys are behind me on that.”