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A New Dawn – Raffi Quirke
Excitement and dynamism will be recurring themes for the Newcastle Red Bulls re-build, and few players embody those qualities better than Raffi Quirke.
RAFFI QUIRKE
Position: Scrum-half
Date of Birth: 18/08/2001
Height: 1.78m (5 foot 10)
Weight: 85kg (13 stone 5)
Honours: England
Previous Club: Sale Sharks
Our regular series of articles highlighting our new arrivals for 2026-27 zooms in on the scrum-half, who arrives at Kingston Park from northern rivals Sale Sharks.
A hugely positive attacking force who makes things happen around him, Quirke’s spark from the base will have supporters off their feet.
I look forward to bringing my energy and attacking mindset to a club that deserves to be shaking up the old rugby order for the fans in the North East.
“Having been up to visit Newcastle and listen to their vision, I could only be massively excited about the new journey they are all on with Red Bull,” said Raffi, upon announcing his move back in January.
“I want to be part of that new story, and I look forward to bringing my energy and attacking mindset to a club that deserves to be shaking up the old rugby order for the fans in the North East.”
Raffi Quirke in action for Sale Sharks against Newcastle Red Bulls
© Getty Images
Having recently played for an England XV against a France XV in the Breton town of Vannes, Quirke arrives on the back of a season which saw him running out 17 times for his home town club, Sale Sharks.
His potent acceleration and eye for a gap became a trademark of his time in the North West, playing almost a century of games for the Salford-based side before an emotional exit at the close of the campaign.
Capped twice by the full England test side, his international debut back in 2021 saw him becoming England’s youngest scrum-half in more than 90 years, and he went one better the week after when he scored the match-winning try against world champions South Africa.
Still only just 24 and with his best years ahead of him, the Broughton-born half-back will surely be one to watch for Newcastle Red Bulls supporters throughout 2026-27.
And with season tickets now on general sale, there’s no better way to secure your place for what promises to be an adrenalin-filled campaign.
Don't miss out and secure your place today.
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