Newcastle Red Bulls land major signing with capture of Northampton Saints back row

The 28-year-old played a pivotal role in Saints’ Gallagher Premiership title triumph in 2024, making 20 starts during their championship-winning campaign. He arrives at Kingston Park following four seasons with Northampton.

A late bloomer in the top flight, Graham previously impressed in the Championship with both Doncaster Knights and Hartpury before establishing himself at Premiership level.

He becomes the second player to swap Franklin’s Gardens for Newcastle this off-season, following the recent announcement that Scotland international prop Elliot Millar Mills will also make the move north.

Excited about the next chapter of his career, the West Country forward began his rugby journey at Chippenham RFC and has also represented Bristol Bears. His varied path in the game even includes time working as a professional chef.

Graham said: “I’ve played up at Kingston Park a number of times throughout in my career and have always had a lot of respect for the guys there, and the way the supporters get behind their team.

“The place looks like it’s buzzing on a match day with everything surrounding Red Bull’s takeover, and I experienced it myself when Saints went up there earlier in the season.

“They’ve 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.”

Newcastle Red Bulls’ sporting general manager Neil McIlroy said: “Sam has worked extremely hard to forge a career in English rugby’s top flight, to his immense credit.

“He is a very consistent performer who makes big impacts on games, and he will get us on the front foot with his ball carrying, set-piece work and link play.

“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.”