Newcastle’s Wade set to resume chase for try record

Christian Wade is back in rugby union and has Chris Ashton’s record as the all-time leading try-scorer in Prem Rugby firmly in his sights.

Wade is the most eye-catching arrival at Newcastle Red Bulls since the takeover by the energy drinks giant after the winger enjoyed a brief stint in rugby league with Wigan Warriors.

He is expected to make his Newcastle debut in their European Challenge Cup game against South African side Lions on Saturday (17:30 GMT), in what would be a tune-up for the three Prem games that follow over Christmas and new year.

The 34-year-old winger has touched down 93 times in the Prem, eight behind Ashton’s tally of 101, and he is not hiding his ambition after linking up with his new team-mates at Kingston Park.

Wade’s eclectic career brings him to the north east where he can add a touch of stardust to the Red Bull revolution.

Winless in the Prem this season and indeed in the competition since November 2024, Newcastle could do with a jet-heeled contribution.

Wade worked with a personal trainer in his time off in between the conclusion of his spell with Wigan and his move north and he is still trying to find ways to get quicker.

After a previous three-year spell in American football with the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills and then more recently in the 13-player code, Wade has worked on footwork, spatial awareness and one-on-one contact to enhance his craft.

It is clearly working as he scored 11 tries in 14 Prem games for Gloucester last season, while he grabbed two tries in his only two Super League games for the Warriors, showing there are few better finishers with the oval ball than him.

And that confidence is a big factor in why he believes he can chase down former England winger Ashton’s mark.

“If you look at my career, my [season] average is higher than nine,” he added. “I am joining the league late and there is a limited number of games, so it will be a challenge.

However, Wade is keen to state that the try record is not his only focus.

Newcastle have been marooned at the bottom of the league for the past three seasons during which the club faced a battle to keep going financially.

They now have the Red Bull name behind them but they still occupy that bottom spot once again this term after six matches.

So the future looks brighter even if there may be short-term pain while they try to build up the strength of the squad and Wade is keen to help Newcastle make the first steps.

And he draws comparisons with his early years at Wasps in how things can change as they went from avoiding relegation by a single point in 2012 to losing the Prem final five years later.

“We went through a similar sort of period at Wasps where we weren’t sure what was happening,” he said.

“We almost got relegated but we stayed up and it probably took us three, four years before we were at the top and teams were like ‘wow’.

Even though he is now in his mid-thirties, Wade, who played once for England, believes he could be part of a similar path with Newcastle, if they want him.

“I feel great, my body’s in great condition. I’ve invested a lot in my body over the years, hence why I’m still able to do what I do,” he added.

“I’ll do what I can to have an impact on the squad and to kick-start that for this year.