Premiership Club Hits Pause on Signings as Financial Crisis Bites

Tuesday, 18 March 2025 at 21:25

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byRugby Rucker

Newcastle Falcons’ consultant director of rugby, Steve Diamond, has confirmed that recruitment is on hold until the club secures funding for next season.

The Premiership strugglers, alongside owner Semore Kurdi, are actively searching for new investment to avoid resorting to a loan that would keep them afloat for the 2025-26 campaign.

"We will not be recruiting new players until there is some clarification of investment coming in or a loan, or any other option that may be out there," said Diamond, highlighting the club’s precarious position.

Bottom of the pile again

With just two wins from 11 games, Newcastle are rooted to the bottom of the Premiership table and are staring down the barrel of a third consecutive season finishing last. Their off-field struggles are now matching their on-field woes, as financial uncertainty clouds their future.

CVC to the rescue?

Sky News reported over the weekend that discussions have begun between Premiership Rugby and CVC Capital Partners, who hold a significant stake in the competition, about providing Newcastle with a £4m loan. This cash injection would help the Falcons meet the financial criteria required to compete next season.

Avoiding another collapse

The league is desperate to prevent Newcastle from joining the ill-fated ranks of Worcester Warriors, Wasps, and London Irish — all of whom went bust between September 2022 and June 2023. Another club collapse would be a devastating blow to the Premiership’s reputation and stability.

2025 British & Irish Lions Squad: Bookies’ Predictions for the Tour

With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia fast approaching, the bookmakers have released their early odds on who will make the squad.

While a lot can change between now and the final selection, these odds give a strong indication of who the bookies believe will be donning the famous red jersey next summer.

The bolded players in our proposed Lions squad represent the starting XV, according to current odds.

2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)

BACK-THREE (6)

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
Darcy Graham (Scotland) - 2/1

CENTRE (4)

Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Ollie Lawrence (England) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11

FLY-HALVES (3)

Fin Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Sam Prendergast (Ireland) - 8/11

SCRUM-HALVES (3)

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Ben White (Scotland) - 11/10

PROP (3)

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Fin Baxter (England) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4

HOOKER (3)

Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Jamie George (England) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5

LOCK (5)

Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
George Martin (England) - 11/10

BACK-ROW (6)

Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
Jack Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
Ben Curry (England) - 6/4

Can you name every England Rugby captain of the professional era?

From the early days of professionalism to the modern era, England has seen a host of legendary captains wearing the armband.

Whether it's the grit of Will Carling in the 90s, the tactical brilliance of Martin Johnson, or the fearless leadership of Owen Farrell, this quiz will challenge even the most dedicated fans.

Think you can name them all? Grab your boots and let's see how well you know the men who led England into battle on the world stage!

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