Two hours before kick-off at Kingston Park on Friday night, Simon Massie-Taylor descended the east stand steps flanked by two high-ranking Red Bull executives.
The trio roamed the stadium grounds, clearly discussing ambitious plans for the future. In the car parks, students handed out free energy drinks and a DJ cheered supporters by playing dance music.
There were Red Bull-branded cars and trucks everywhere. Welcome to a new era for English club rugby. Welcome to Newcastle Red Bulls.
For PREM Rugby boss Massie-Taylor and everyone at Newcastle, Red Bull’s arrival has been manna from heaven. It’s allowed the league’s worst-performing side immediate financial security and long-term hope for the future.
But for all the added off-field glitz and glamour now at Newcastle, their first league game since the Red Bull takeover showed how far the team still has to go on it.
Saracens were comfortable winners, avenging their defeat here last year with a bonus-point success based on forward power.
Newcastle Red Bulls’ first PREM Rugby game ended in defeat to Saracens at Kingston Park
Newcastle director of rugby Steve Diamond waves to the crowd before the game
‘It was very frustrating,’ said Newcastle director of rugby Steve Diamond.
‘I don’t want to be guilty of drinking the Kool-Aid. What’s happened around the place has been fantastic and you saw that tonight. But I expect the guys to be disappointed. Guys didn’t know their jobs.
‘A little bit more graft on the training ground I think. It was an error-strewn second half. I’m not that disappointed. I’m just frustrated. I’ve been around long enough to know you can’t just wave a magic wand and for it to happen like that.
‘We know the job in hand. It’s hard work getting a sell-out. We’ve got to match the commercial side on the field. I don’t mind losing, but not when it’s not competitive and the second half wasn’t competitive.’
No-one was expecting Newcastle to suddenly become a winning machine given Red Bull only rocked up in the summer. But that will surely happen in time.
Red Bull have had an immediate impact in some areas. The sold-out signs were up at Kingston Park for the first time since 2018 and a capacity crowd of 10,210 watched on. Both sets of players ran on to the field with a banner of Newcastle’s giant new club emblem in the centre circle.
No prizes for guessing the two words at the logo’s centre.
Off went the pre-match fireworks.
This was Newcastle’s first sell out since 2018 and Red Bull certainly had an impact off-field
Cans of Red Bull were given away to supporters pre-match and there was a feelgood factor
‘Please make some noise for Newcastle Red Bulls,’ cried out the stadium announcer.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to have something to cheer about.
They say Red Bull gives you wings and Newcastle wing Alex Hearle had clearly had a can pre-match. It took him just 83 seconds to scythe through the Saracens defence to score. And it got worse for Saracens, referee Adam Leal checking for a dangerous tackle on Newcastle captain Byron McGuigan in the build-up.
McGuigan was hit by both Andy Onyeama-Christie and Nathan Michelow before landing dangerously. Leal showed Michelow a red card and Brett Connon converted.
Owen Farrell responded with his first points back in English rugby after his summer return to Saracens before then taking a nasty knock to his nose trying to bring down McGuigan. Farrell was left bloodied by the incident.
‘Come on Red Bull,’ shouted the home crowd. A feelgood factor has certainly come to Newcastle. But their scrum was struggling and Saracens turned up the power.
Nice hands down the short side sent wing Brandon Jackson to the line even with them down to 14. Under the 20-minute red card ruling, the visitors were then able to replace Michelow and their second try came from more physical carrying.
Newcastle Red Bulls now have financial stability and a bright future after a tough few years
Owen Farrell made his second debut for Saracens since his return to the club from Racing 92
Theo Dan and Tom Willis led the charge and Onyeama-Christie benefited. Saracens were ahead by five at the break, but McGuigan, Amanaki Mafi and Boeta Chamberlain all showed positive signs for the hosts. Diamond had clearly had enough of his team’s scrum struggles and removed both his starting props early in the second half.
But despite all the positivity around Newcastle and a healthy crowd, the atmosphere was surprisingly flat in the second 40. Credit to Saracens for that.
Nick Tompkins and Noah Caluori put the game to bed as Mark McCall’s men went home with five points. England age grade winger Caluori showed remarkable pace to score and celebrated with an elaborate swan dive. He looks one to watch this season.
Newcastle kept going – any team coached by Diamond will always do that – and debutant Freddie Clarke crashed over.
But there was no doubting the better team won.
Wales centre Tompkins grabbed his second with a wonderful individual effort to match that of Caluori as Saracens dialled up the heat and Newcastle had no answer.
‘When you get a 20-minute red card as early as we did, you get to the see the identity of the team very quickly’ said Saracens director of rugby McCall.
‘Overall, I was pleased with our attitude and physicality. It was a really good performance.’
Saracens lost Nathan Michelow to a 20-minute red card but recovered to win and win well
