Newcastle Red Bulls head coach Alan Dickens has credited a greater sense of calmness and composure among his squad for the team’s recent turnaround, ending a lengthy winless run in the Premiership.

Newcastle secured their first league victory in 399 days on Friday with a hard-fought win over Gloucester Rugby at Kingston Park, breaking a 20-game wait for a Premiership win that dated back to November 2024.

Recent Form and Key Performances

The victory against Gloucester follows back-to-back European Challenge Cup wins and a strong performance in a narrow loss to Bristol Bears, in which Newcastle scored four tries, demonstrating their growing competitiveness in high-pressure moments.

The three recent victories have come by a combined margin of just 19 points, highlighting the Red Bulls’ ability to stay composed in crucial situations.

“Over the last three or four years, it’s well documented that Newcastle have struggled,” Dickens said. “There was a lot of emotion on the pitch, especially behind the posts. At the moment, there’s a calmness from the senior players and a sense of ‘what’s the next job?’”

Squad Confidence and Development

Dickens emphasized that the squad only fully came together at the start of December, so the early part of the season involved a period of adjustment. However, the recent results have boosted confidence and reinforced the team’s standards.

“The players are definitely getting confidence from the performances,” he told BBC Sport. “They are seeing improvements and the standards they are setting. After Gloucester, they knew they left points out there but are taking responsibility to drive standards and set high targets.”

Implications for the Premiership and Challenge Cup

The Kingston Park win lifted Newcastle within four points of Gloucester and five points of Harlequins, signaling that the Red Bulls are beginning to find their rhythm in the Premiership.

Looking ahead, a victory at home against Top 14 side Perpignan on Saturday would secure Newcastle’s place in the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup for the first time in four years, underlining the significance of their recent improvement in form.

The Role of Senior Players

Dickens highlighted the influence of senior players in fostering composure on the field, allowing the team to stay focused in tight situations and make smarter decisions during matches. This calmness is being cited as a key factor in Newcastle’s renewed competitiveness.