Newcastle Red Bulls signings imminent after tough first year

For a period in January, there was the daily Newcastle. Each morning would see the announcement of a new player for 2026-27 season as the club looked to strengthen its ranks.

Every position from one to 15 has been addressed and overall 23 players have been signed, enough to cover a matchday squad, with Sale Sharks and England scrum-half Raffi Quirke probably the headline arrival.

But to offset that, 26 players are leaving after the final match at Gloucester on 6 June, while two have retired during this campaign, meaning there is set to be a huge churn at Kingston Park this summer.

It will be a big challenge for McFarland and his staff to integrate so many new faces, create a team dynamic off the field and bridge a gap with clubs that have largely settled squads and ways of playing.

Backs: Benjamin Elizalde (Bristol Bears), Joji Nasova (Fijian Drua), Josh Hodge, Will Rigg (Exeter Chiefs), Chris Harris (Bath), Brandon Jackson (Saracens), Fehi Fineanganofo (Wellington Hurricanes), Zack Henry (Stade Francais), Raffi Quirke, Obi Ene (Sale Sharks)

Forwards: Pouri Rakete-Stones (Wellington Hurricanes), George Turner (Harlequins), Elliot Millar Mills, Tom West, Sam Graham (Northampton Saints), James Harper (Sale), Samson Adejimi (Saracens), Max Hicks (Perpignan), Cam Jordan (Gloucester), Franco Molina (Western Force), Rusi Tuima (Exeter), Allan Ferrie (Coventry), Hoskins Sotutu (Auckland Blues)