6 days ago
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Christian Wade admitted his latest stop in rugby union with Newcastle Red Bulls is with one thing in mind – to become the English club game’s top try-scorer.
Wade has crossed the whitewash 93 times in the Gallagher PREM in stints with Wasps and Gloucester, putting him only eight tries behind leader Chris Ashton.
The flying wing’s latest stop will be Newcastle, who he will join in December once his current contract with Super League side Wigan Warriors runs out.
‘I’m coming to get that record,’ Wade, 34, said.
‘Rugby is a team sport and the main thing for me is being a positive influence in helping Newcastle to perform, but I’m not going to pretend I don’t want to be the all-time top try-scorer in the league’s history.
‘I said when I signed for Gloucester it would take me two years and I was able to be part of a team which surprised a lot of people in finishing in the top half of the table.
Christian Wade is targeting English club rugby's try-scoring record with Newcastle Red Bulls
Wade is a proven try machine in English club rugby and will join Newcastle in December
‘I’ve now got this fantastic opportunity with Newcastle Red Bulls.
'When I spoke to Steve Diamond, he just said: “We want you to express yourself and get that record.”’
Wade has played both codes of rugby, represented French union side Racing 92 and also had a brief spell in America playing NFL in what has been a varied and fine career. Wade’s seven Gallagher PREM hat-tricks is a league record.
He touched down for 11 tries in 14 top-flight games for Gloucester last season.
His arrival at Kingston Park is a big boost to the Falcons who won only two league games last season but have ambitious plans after being taken over by global drinks brand Red Bull.
Wade said: ‘There’s massive buzz about the whole Newcastle Red Bulls project and I can’t wait to be part of it.
‘Red Bull are a commercial and sporting giant who are right at the cutting edge of high performance. Any athlete would want to be associated with something like that.
‘There is massive potential at Newcastle after some difficult years and if I can help elevate the team during the early part of this new era, that would be really special.’
The 34-year-old is currently with rugby league side Wigan and was previously with Gloucester
Newcastle director of rugby Diamond said: ‘Christian has scored tries wherever he has been and remains one of the best finishers in the game.
‘He performed to a really high standard for Gloucester last season and challenged himself by joining the best rugby league team in the country, which just goes to show the enthusiasm he still has to broaden his knowledge and skill base.
‘I’ve always been impressed by his ability on the field. But when we met a short while ago to discuss the possibility of him joining us, I was struck by what an articulate and ambitious guy he is even having achieved so much throughout his career.
'As well as adding massively to our playing ability, I truly believe he will be a great character within our group. Signings like this just add to the growing excitement around the place.’
Elsewhere, England full-back and the best women’s player on the planet Ellie Kildunne will miss her team’s World Cup quarter-final with Scotland on Sunday after experiencing concussion symptoms.
Kildunne was forced off after taking a blow to the head in the 47-7 defeat of Australia in Brighton last Saturday.
Red Roses coach John Mitchell will most likely replace Kildunne with Helena Rowland or Emma Sing, but he will undoubtedly want Kildunne back fit for the last four should England come through their Scottish test at Bristol’s Ashton Gate.
England's Ellie Kildunne will miss her team's Women's World Cup quarter-final with Scotland
