Photos by John Coles

By Paul I
August 19 2025

The news that Red Bull have completed their takeover of Newcastle Falcons certainly raised some interest in the different news outlets. It offered the headline writers a chance to be goldenly creative, ' Falcons Fly', ' Falcons Get Their Wiings!' or ' No Bull, it's Red Bull!' With the talk of a franchise system on its way still bubbling away, although not everyone is 100% on board with this prospect, I hear.  In the wake of the deal being confirmed, you can already see some results.   

An input of foreign players, some well-known names including Super Rugby's, Kiwi flanker , Tom Christie, Argentinian scrum-half Simon Benitez Cruz, Japanese back-rower, Amanaki Mafi, and the latest being front-five forward, Fergus Lee-Warner from NSW Waratahs, announced this morning.  Lee-Warner was at Worcester with Steve Diamond, now Red Bull Falcons supremo. Mates rates?  Interestingly, the term ' English qualified ' was used in the announcement statement, trying to swerve accusations of becoming foreign pension providers? 
Judging from the reports from the club, Season Ticket sales have increased since the takeover, a positive sign, and I think we can safely assume that they won't be the Gallagher Premiership basement club this season! Who is likely to replace them? 
Could this takeover be the first of a new tsunami of corporate investment, in a game that could offer a much cheaper alternative to other sports?  The jury is still out on that hope I suspect. 
However, it has to be said  anything that could bring investors or investment into the game, it could only be good and a positive boost for the game. 
Interesting times for the Premiership.

Meanwhile, coming soon, we'll take a look at the revamped ' The Champ.' 

Newcastle Red Bulls - A Game Changer Or Not?

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 19/08/2025 11:21

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
19/08/2025 11:21

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:21:12:30:47 by Kimbo.

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covkid1953
20/08/2025 01:00

Franchise club.
Not good.

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Egg Timer
20/08/2025 07:13

How is it any different from (for example) a stand being sponsored by a big name? Clubs, including ours, have been doing it for years and, if it raises the chancesof (sustainable) success, why not?

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covkid1953
20/08/2025 12:51

Quote:

Egg Timer
How is it any different from (for example) a stand being sponsored by a big name? Clubs, including ours, have been doing it for years and, if it raises the chancesof (sustainable) success, why not?

It skews things against honest clubs.
eg.
Wrexham
Birmingham city
Manchester city
Ealing Trailfinders
Worcester

All given multiple millions per season without having any comparable income.

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OldWulfWarrior
20/08/2025 16:47

It skews things against honest clubs.
eg.
Wrexham
Birmingham city
Manchester city
Ealing Trailfinders
Worcester

An interesting group of example honest clubs, thank you.

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bigm/ mark harrison.
22/08/2025 11:38

its a huge continued change in direction from self propelled flying contests, lawnmower races, boxcart derby races from red bull. Lets not forget this product is not healthy for children and continues to encourage the bad trend of energy drink being consumed occasionally to all the time. English rugby will not suddenly change its self destructive nature. Look at the latest shambles between the rfu and castore kit supplier. Just a few years in the planning of the womens world cup in your home country and kit to SUPPORT your own nation is virtually unavailable...its bad enough when kit suppliers let clubs down but national kit with a newish contract its beyond a joke. Especially the amount of kids that will be at these games, wanting to show their support through kit,signs,face paint,cowboy hats...SHAME ON CASTORE AND THE RFU.

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SunMan62
22/08/2025 11:52

Quote:

OldWulfWarrior
It skews things against honest clubs.
eg.
Wrexham
Birmingham city
Manchester city
Ealing Trailfinders
Worcester

An interesting group of example honest clubs, thank you.

I suspect that was a list of clubs the poster also did not believe were "honest"!

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OldWulfWarrior
22/08/2025 12:06

Quote:

SunMan62

Quote:

OldWulfWarrior
It skews things against honest clubs.
eg.
Wrexham
Birmingham city
Manchester city
Ealing Trailfinders
Worcester

An interesting group of example honest clubs, thank you.

I suspect that was a list of clubs the poster also did not believe were "honest"!

I am aware of that!!! It just made me smile how easily it could be misinterpretted. And I would rather my reply be light hearted than being a grumpy git as i know it would be easy to get into a debate about this.

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