Mason Flesch signs for Newcastle to become first Canadian in PREM Rugby in seven years

Mason Flesch has signed for Newcastle Red Bulls until the end of the 2026/27 season, making the 26-year-old backrower the first Canadian men’s international to join a PREM Rugby club in seven years. The move came together at remarkable speed: Flesch received a call from Newcastle’s Head of Rugby Recruitment and Analytics, Gavin Vaughan, late last week and was on the ground in Newcastle just four days later.

“I didn’t really think as soon as possible was going to be four days later,” Flesch said. The loose forward described the milestone as deeply personal. “It means a lot for me personally. For myself and my family, all the sacrifices that I’ve made and my parents have made to support me through this rugby journey… I’ve had to rely on their support a lot.”

The last Canadian to feature in the English top flight was two-time Rugby World Cup representative Evan Olmstead, who last played for Newcastle Falcons in 2019 before moving to Pro D2 side Biarritz Olympique. Before Olmstead, 61-Test winger DTH van der Merwe was unveiled as a Newcastle signing in February 2017, later returning to Glasgow Warriors for a second stint. Flesch is now the third Canadian to represent the north-east club.

Flesch arrives with championship-winning credentials. He helped the Chicago Hounds complete an undefeated Major League Rugby regular season and scored a try in the MLR Championship Final, a 35-17 victory over the California Legion. He then carried that form into international duty, crossing for three tries in two Pacific Nations Cup matches — including a Player of the Match display in a 19-16 win over the USA Eagles and a double against Fiji in the semi-finals.

“I had my foot in the door I guess for a while, kind of floating in and out of a big opportunity, and now to finally get one, man, it’s awesome,” Flesch said. “I’ve always looked up to the older Canadian guys that were overseas playing in Europe and now I kind of get to be that for the younger group of Canadians coming through. I’m incredibly proud and honoured to take the challenge on.”

Flesch joins a Newcastle squad assembled under head coach Dan McFarland, who took charge ahead of the 2026/27 season. The squad includes prolific try-scorer Christian Wade, who is closing in on Chris Ashton’s all-time PREM record of 101 tries, alongside former All Black Hoskins Sotutu, Olympic medallist Werner Kok, Los Pumas lock Franco Molina, and Maori All Blacks prop Pouri Rakete-Stones.