Overview
- Newcastle Red Bulls confirmed the hire Friday, naming former Ulster boss Dan McFarland to lead the 2026/27 season.
- He will arrive in the summer from Japan’s Kobelco Steelers after the Top League season ends.
- The club said Calum MacRae will return to run the defence once his Benetton commitments finish.
- The reshuffle moves caretaker Stephen Jones back to attack coach, keeps Micky Ward and Lee Dickson in place, and makes Mark Laycock coaching co-ordinator.
- Newcastle sit bottom of the Premiership with one win after Red Bull’s August takeover, and new signings such as Hoskins Sotutu, George Turner and Raffi Quirke are set to bolster next year’s squad.