Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Red Bulls Prediction: Red Bulls may prove awkward for much-changed Saints

It has been a week of change at Newcastle, with head coach Alan Dickens departing and former Wales and British & Irish Lions fly-half Stephen Jones taking over as an interim option. The Red Bulls have already recruited well for next season and with Dickens previously confirming he would depart in the summer, they are now looking to make off-field changes going into what promises to be an exciting 2026/27.

However, there is a lot of rugby to play before then and they currently sit bottom of the Prem heading into Saturday's trip to leaders Northampton (15:00 GMT, TNT Sports Extra). Read on for my Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Red Bulls predictions...

The Saints won four in a row to take top spot going into the Six Nations break, although Bath can overtake them by beating Saracens on Friday night.

It may not be totally convincing, but the Franklin's Gardens club should respond, having not lost any of the last nine league meetings between this pair.

Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Red Bulls Odds

Northampton are 1/18 to win for the ninth time in this season's Prem, with Newcastle 9/1 for just their second league success of 2025/26.

A tie is 28/1, while the 3-way handicap mark is set at 27 points, with the Saints -27 priced at 5/6.

Team News

Northampton look to be easing their England stars back in, with Alex Coles, Trevor Davison, Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman not selected.

Prop Emmanuel Iyogun was part of England's training group and starts at loosehead, while lock Aiden Ainsworth-Cave and back-rower Charlie Ulcoq are set to make their league debuts from the bench.

Half-backs Archie McParland and Anthony Belleau will run the side against the Red Bulls, who have included fly-half Brett Connon for what will be his 150th appearance for the club.

Lock-forward Freddie Clarke returns from injury, while prop Nicky Little could make his debut after being drafted in on loan from Hawick.

Newcastle +25 @ 11/10

With no threat of relegation and several big names joining both the playing and coaching staffs in the summer, these are exciting times at Kingston Park.

However, while the Newcastle ownership's ambition is undeniable, the fact is they are still bottom of the table and have won only once this season.

They did manage to defeat Northampton 31-14 in the Prem Rugby Cup in November, but lost 49-21 at home and were beaten 61-0 on their last league visit on New Year's Day 2024 and haven't won at the Gardens in the league since 2018.

Northampton may be without some of their England contingent, but they have displayed real depth in 2025/26, with Belleau, signed as an understudy to Smith, arguably the acquisition of the season, following a string of excellent displays.

The Saints struggled after winning the 2024 Grand Final but lessons have clearly been learned and they should easily overcome Newcastle.

Jones' appointment may give the visitors a lift but there remains a difference in quality between the two teams, with Northampton also winning 36-19 at Kingston Park in October.

However, the handicap looks harsh considering that two of the three meetings this season have been settled by 17 points and the Red Bulls could sneak in under the mark.

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