CANADIAN RUGBY STAR JOINS PREMIERSHIP

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, England — Canadian rugby international Mason Flesch has signed with the Newcastle Red Bulls of England’s Premiership Rugby through the end of the 2026-27 season.

The 26-year-old from Cobourg, Ont., becomes the first Canadian men’s international to join a club in England’s top rugby division since Evan Olmstead, who last played for Newcastle in 2019.

Flesch joins Newcastle after helping the Chicago Hounds complete an undefeated Major League Rugby season, scoring a try in their 35-17 championship victory over the California Legion.

Flesch, a 26-Test veteran, scored three tries in two matches for Canada at the Pacific Nations Cup, including two against Fiji in the semifinals. The move will allow him to train and compete full-time as Canada prepares for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.