It’s Newcastle but not as you know them!

Newcastle have not just had a rebrand and a change of name in the last year. Known as the Red Bulls and dressed in blue, there is more to Newcastle than some significant investment. Like the Newcastle of the early days of the Premiership, they have sprinkled in some stellar superstars to elevate their standing in the league and other competitions.

Already seen against Northampton Saints last weekend, Newcastle are coming to play with Christian Wade offering some electric speed down the wing and closing in on the PREM’s top try-scorer record in the process. Former Hurricanes’ loosehead prop Pouri Rakete-Stones has been providing ballast in the front row, with Pumas lock Franco Mollina bringing years of experience to the second row and super-quick scrum-half Simón Benítez Cruz adding to their speedy new style of play. Lastly, England-qualified All Black Hoskins Sotutu has been settling into the back row with fellow New Zealander Tom Christie leading from the front.

There is serious talent on display which may not have had the time to gel just yet, but when they do, it will be an exciting spectacle.

The Red Bulls have also scooped up Chiefs talent to strengthen their ranks with Josh Hodge, Will Rigg and Rusi Tuima waiting to make their mark.

Chiefs have had plenty of spicy tussles against Newcastle in the past and will be looking to get their home campaign on track when they come head-to-head on Sunday, October 11 (KO 15:00).

Former Newcastle director of rugby and now Chiefs attack coach Dave Walder said: “They're playing high energy rugby. They're far more attacking than they were last year. They've recruited people that allow them to play that game more effectively with a bit of stardust. It’s a different brand of rugby.

“They've actually recruited to play a certain style rather than having to recruit players and make them play a certain style, so I think there'll be high energy and high pace.”

For Chiefs, Dafydd Jenkins and Jack Yeandle are back to full fitness after surgery with Kane James running riot in the back-row alongside fellow grafters Greg Fisilau and Ethan Roots.

Try-scorer from last Saturday, Josh Iosefa-Scott is looking gnarly – in a good way – and Ethan Burger is continuing his impressive development from the end of last season. Both being harangued for selection by 36-stitches-in-his-ear Jimmy Roots and the physical might of Will Goodrick-Clarke.

Double centurion Olly Woodburn continues to rack up the tries with Immanual Feyi-Waboso his partner in crime in the back three and Tommy Wyatt back in the mix after battling back from several years of serious injury.

Leading by example, Henry Slade and new centre partner Will Butt are helping to marshal the troops alongside the half-back pairing of Harvey Skinner and Stephen Varney.

This Chiefs side has all the components to give the Red Bulls a gritty Devon welcome next week.

Walder added: “Newcastle will come here with their confidence high and the shackles off. We need to play well. We were disappointed against Gloucester. It's very easy to sit after the game and go, ‘We're gonna learn from this’; the second game at home is a chance to show the crowd that we’ve actually learned.”

Get your tickets here.