Newcastle Red Bulls have officially confirmed the signing of Sam Graham, the back-row forward from Northampton Saints, on a two-year contract starting next season. The 28-year-old will bolster Newcastle’s forward pack as the club continues its ambitious rebuild in the Premiership Rugby.

Graham, a former chef turned professional rugby player, has spent the last four seasons at Northampton Saints after moving from Doncaster Knights in the Championship. He played a key role in Northampton’s 2024 Premiership title triumph, contributing to both domestic and European campaigns. In the current season, Graham has made eight appearances in the Premiership and European fixtures for the Saints.

Strengthening the Newcastle Squad

Graham follows in the footsteps of former Northampton teammate Elliott Millar-Mills, who recently joined Newcastle, signaling the club’s commitment to reinforcing its squad with experienced talent from top Premiership sides. Speaking about the move, Graham said:

“Newcastle have been getting sell-out crowds in the league on a consistent basis, and they’re really going places with the way they’re starting to build. As a player, it’s massively exciting to be a part of that once my time at Northampton comes to an end, and I’m looking forward to throwing everything into it when I get up to Newcastle in the summer.”

The Red Bulls’ recruitment drive also includes Exeter duo Josh Hodge and Rusi Tuima, New Zealand’s number eight Hoskins Sotutu, and Argentina second-row Franco Molina, all set to strengthen the squad for the upcoming seasons.

Newcastle’s Current Season

Despite their strong recruitment, Newcastle Red Bulls are currently at the bottom of the Premiership table. However, the club has shown resilience in European competitions, having qualified for the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup with a perfect 100% record in pool play.

Newcastle’s sporting general manager Neil McIlroy highlighted the strategic importance of Graham’s signing:

“It’s an exciting period for the club as we put in place the building blocks for what we are confident will be a very successful future, and Sam promises to be a big part of that.”

Sam Graham’s Rugby Journey

Graham’s rise from a culinary career to professional rugby is an inspiring story. Known for his athleticism, versatility in the back-row, and strong defensive work, he has become a reliable figure in Northampton’s forward pack. His experience in high-pressure Premiership and European games makes him a valuable asset for Newcastle’s rebuilding project.

The signing of Graham is part of Newcastle’s wider strategy to combine international experience with homegrown talent, ensuring the club can compete consistently in both domestic and European competitions over the next few seasons.

As Graham prepares to make the move to Kingston Park this summer, fans can expect an injection of skill, leadership, and Premiership-winning experience in Newcastle’s forward line.