Newcastle Red Bulls recruit 50-cap Scotland international as latest tartan addition

The 50-times Scotland capped hooker is currently with Harlequins but will leave the Stoop at the end of the season.

Newcastle, who were taken over and renamed by energy drink giant Red Bull last year, have been recruiting widely. The company appointed Scotland coach Gregor Townsend as its advisor on rugby strategy and there are a number of Scots filling key roles at Kingston Park.

Turner, 33, said it was a great time to be joining the Prem club.

Exciting times

“It's a tremendously exciting time to be joining Newcastle Red Bulls with everything that's going on up there at the moment,” Turner told the club’s website.

“I'm determined to contribute towards the club's growth as they look to kick on under the new ownership, and to be part of what looks like being a really competitive playing group.”

Neil McIlroy, the former Jed-Forest prop who is now Newcastle Red Bulls’ sporting general manager, said: “George is an experienced campaigner who has played a lot of rugby at a high level, and has once again been named in Scotland's Six Nations squad.

“His knowhow will be invaluable to us during this period where we’re looking to really build the squad, and he forms part of a competitive hooking roster with the guys we already have in our ranks.”

Strong Scottish flavour at Newcastle

Turner is part of Scotland’s Six Nations squad and won his landmark 50th cap in the autumn Test against Tonga last year.

He signed for Harlequins last year after a season in Japan with Kobelco Steelers. The bulk of his career was spent with Glasgow Warriors whom he helped win the URC in 2024.

There is already a strong Scottish flavour at Newcastle. It was revealed earlier this month that Gavin Vaughan, the Scotland national team’s performance analyst, is to leave his role after the Six Nations to become head of recruitment at Newcastle Red Bulls.

Former Scotland flanker Jonny Petrie is the club’s managing director and ex-SRU head of pathways John Fletcher is their academy and pathways director.