Steve Diamond leaves Newcastle Red Bulls with immediate effect
Rugby NewsWednesday, 01 October 2025 at 11:34
Wales face a big opener vs Argentina but have a strong chance to top this pool. Samoa adds intrigue as the dark horse.
Steve Diamond has been let go as Newcastle Red Bulls director of rugby, The Telegraph reports.
The decision came Wednesday morning, four days after the club’s 39-17 defeat to Saracens in the Premiership opener.
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Interim leadership
Alan Dickens will take charge in the short term, starting with this weekend’s trip to Exeter Chiefs.
Looking ahead
The Telegraph reported in August that Red Bull are seeking a “world-class” figurehead, with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend among those linked.
Townsend has since extended his Scotland contract earlier this month, but precedent exists for internationals advising clubs — Eddie Jones did so at Suntory while leading England.
Recruitment impact
Since the Red Bull takeover in late July, Diamond has used his experience and network to bolster the squad, bringing in players including Wales veteran Liam Williams at short notice.
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2025 Rugby World Cup predicted draw
With the new six-pool format confirmed, here’s a projected draw based on current World Rugby Rankings — with Wales sitting in Band 2.
2027 Rugby World Cup draw
Pool A – “The Powerhouse Pool”
South Africa (Band 1) — Reigning World Champions, famed for their physical dominance and tactical brilliance.
Australia (Band 2) — Rugby hosts with a rich history and a passionate home crowd.
Japan (Band 3) — High-paced attackers who stunned the world in 2019.
Portugal (Band 4) — Rising force in European rugby, known for their scrappy determination.
? Storyline: South Africa vs Australia could be a World Cup final preview — Portugal and Japan will battle for third place.
Pool B – “The Six Nations Clash”
Ireland (Band 1) — Consistently at the top of world rugby, masters of strategic play.
Scotland (Band 2) — Brave and battle-hardened, with a history of giant-killing performances.
Spain (Band 3) — Emerging side bringing flair and unpredictability.
Romania (Band 4) — Rugby stalwarts with physical forward packs.
? Storyline: Ireland and Scotland renew their rivalry in a high-stakes pool. Spain could cause an upset.
Pool C – “The Wild Card Pool”
New Zealand (Band 1) — The All Blacks, rugby royalty with speed, skill, and killer instinct.
Fiji (Band 2) — Fijian flair and athleticism make them dangerous in any matchup.
USA (Band 3) — Big, athletic squad with growing ambitions.
Hong Kong China (Band 4) — Developing team looking to make an impact on the world stage.
? Storyline: Expect fireworks between New Zealand and Fiji; USA and Hong Kong will battle for the third spot.
Pool D – “The European Throwdown”
France (Band 1) — World Cup hosts in 2023, dynamic attackers, crowd favourites.
Italy (Band 2) — Tough, resilient side with big scrummaging power.
Tonga (Band 3) — Physical, passionate, unpredictable warriors.
Canada (Band 4) — Experienced team, looking to build consistency.
? Storyline: France should lead this pool, but Tonga’s unpredictability makes this one dangerous.
Pool E – “The Battleground of Grit”
England (Band 1) — Powerful, well-drilled side with a deep tactical playbook.
Georgia (Band 2) — Known for a dominant forward pack and fierce defence.
Uruguay (Band 3) — South American fighters with resilience to match their passion.
Zimbabwe (Band 4) — Underdogs aiming to shock the world.
? Storyline: England’s depth makes them favourites, but Georgia could make it interesting.
Pool F – “The Wales Challenge”
Argentina (Band 1) — Tough, skilled, and battle-tested with World Cup pedigree.
Wales (Band 2) — Six Nations contenders with a blend of power and precision.
Chile (Band 3) — South American dark horse making their mark.
Samoa (Band 4) — Fierce underdogs with a proud history and attacking flair.
? Storyline:
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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