Latest news with #RugbyPass
Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Red Bull emerges as potential buyer for Newcastle Falcons
Red Bull has emerged as a potential buyer of Newcastle Falcons, the Premiership club that have been searching for a cash injection over the past year. The energy drinks giant has an investment portfolio that includes several sporting organisations around the world, including the Formula One team that bears its name and Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. It also has had an existing relationship with rugby union for some time through its sponsorship of individual players such as England wing Jack Nowell. Sources indicated that funds could arrive in time for next season, offering scope for the Falcons squad to be bolstered ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. Newcastle owner Semore Kurdi announced his intention to sell up in November before it became apparent that Premiership clubs and CVC had been planning a loan of around £4 million to keep Falcons afloat. This latest development, first reported on Thursday by RugbyPass, comes with confirmation of a new, long-term broadcast deal between the Premiership and TNT Sports, which has been hailed as a boost for the league's long-term stability. One senior source in the English game voiced the opinion that the Premiership has 'ridden an almighty storm and made significant progress towards fixing its foundations', which 'will help attract crucial investment'. The Premiership final at Twickenham on June 14 is forecast to reach a sell-out over the coming days, hinting at unprecedented levels of interest. Currently bottom of the Premiership with two wins this season, having experienced persistent turnover of players over recent years, Falcons are seen as a critical part of the English rugby union landscape. Should the Premiership's franchising plans accelerate, a geographical spread of clubs around the country will be vital. Steve Diamond, the Falcons director of rugby, has made no secret of the feeling that Newcastle have been in a 'holding pattern'. The departure of Callum Chick to Northampton Saints, announced last week, was just the latest example of Falcons seeing homegrown stars leave the club. 𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙆 𝙔𝙊𝙐, 𝘾𝙃𝙄𝘾𝙆𝙔 After 170 appearances over nine seasons, club captain Callum Chick will depart Newcastle Falcons at the end of the current campaign. The 28-year-old back-rower heads down to Northampton Saints, insisting he takes nothing but fond memories from… — Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) May 6, 2025 Ben Redshaw, the highly-rated full-back, is heading to Gloucester over the summer, with hooker Jamie Blamire bound for Leicester Tigers. It is thought that Newcastle will use any new funds to bolster their development pathways and give themselves greater leverage to keep these academy prospects on Tyneside. 'What we need to do is build it up and reinforce the academy first, perhaps bringing in eight senior players in the first year of the project,' said a source. 'Then we can go from there, aiming for established names in year two and beyond. Right now, those bigger names just aren't available.'
Extra.ie
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Poll shows rugby fans want NINE Irish players in Lions starting XV
With just three months remaining until the first Test between the Lions and Australia, anticipation for the summer tour is gathering pace. While the latter stages of the European rugby season still commands the attention of fans, focus will quickly switch to the make-up of the British and Irish Lions squad once the season ends. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will name his Lions squad on May 8, and there should be solid Irish representation within the unit. Andy Farrell with his Assistant Coaches for the Lions Tour of Australia; John Dalziel (Scotland), Simon Easterby (Ireland), John Fogarty (Ireland), Andrew Goodman (Ireland) and Richard Wigglesworth (England) will all join the coaching team this summer. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland Farrell has already shown the green influence in selecting his coaching backroom, with Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman and John Fogarty all coming into the fold and Johnny Sexton added latterly. Competition for places on the plane will be considerable and debates over rival players fierce – but it appears most fans want an Irish majority running through the team when they pull on the red jersey. Although Ireland missed out on Six Nations glory as France strode to glory in the spring, they are still expected to have a significant influence once the summer tour comes around. Ireland captain Caelan Doris. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Ireland captain Caelan Doris is right in the mix to be named as Lions captain, while the likes of Sam Prendergast will be on a push to get the nod as part of the out-half grouping. According to a poll undertaken by Rugby Pass, a majority of fans would like to see a strong Irish majority when the squad is organised into its strongest 15 players. Polling their Instagram following – totalling more than 2.2 million people – Rugby Pass looked for fans to select their preferred player for each position in the starting XV. Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan both got the nod for inclusions in the Lions starting XV from fans. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile Nine Irish players made the cut in all, with an all-Ireland front row of Andrew Porter at tighthead with Dan Sheehan at hooker and Tadhg Furlong completing the front three at loosehead. Other Irish players selected in the pack were Tadhg Beirne in the second row, Josh van der Flier at openside flanker and reland captain Caelan Doris at No.8. Jamison Gibson-Park gets the nod at scrum half, Bundee Aki is chosen inside centre and lastly James Lowe on the right wing. Included from rival Six Nations countries were Scottish trio Finn Russell, Huw Jones and Duhan Van der Merwe. England's Maro Itoje, Wales captain Jac Morgan complete the contingent but it remains to be seen what way Farrell will go when it comes to selecting his finest for the first Test on July 19 in Brisbane.
The Independent
29-01-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Former Ireland assistant Les Kiss highlights unlikely Six Nations benefit to Andy Farrell's sabbatical
Les Kiss, former Ireland men's assistant and grand slam winner, gave his predictions on the outcome for this year's Six Nations with head coach Andy Farrell missing the campaign due to a sabbatical. Farrell is temporarily stepping away from the role in preparation for the British and Irish Lions tour, with Simon Easterby stepping into the role of interim head coach. Reigning champions Ireland will defend their title this weekend with their opening game against England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Kiss had previously hinted that he felt a historic third title is on the horizon for Ireland, when asked his predictions for the tournament he told Rugby Pass: 'I think that's going to be tough, I have a feeling Ireland will get the three-peat. I watch Ireland games all the time so you are sort of attached to how they have been going.' 'Andy has done fantastic, and Simon Easterby has been rock solid all the way through. I can only imagine they have what it takes to do it. I know people are thinking, Andy's not there. 'Things will just roll on the same way and players will probably appreciate a slightly varying way to do it, even though there is stability from within with Simon being there.' Ireland finished Six Nations champions in three of seven campaigns Kiss was involved in, winning the Grand Slam in 2009 under Declan Kidney, and again in 2014 and 2015 under Joe Schmidt. Kiss was enthusiastic when reminiscing on the tournament, saying: 'I'd love to be able to experience it again, for sure. I was talking about it Monday night with some of my Reds management team.'
