Quirke came off the bench in Sale’s 57-5 win over Newcastle during the opening round of the Prem season
England scrum-half Raffi Quirke has announced his departure from Sale Sharks at the end of the current season. The move follows reports linking him with a transfer to Newcastle Red Bulls.
The 24-year-old, capped twice by England and scorer of a memorable try against South Africa in November 2021, has faced challenges due to injuries, often finding himself behind Scotland’s Gus Warr in the club’s pecking order.
Despite this, Quirke has demonstrated strong form this season, earning a spot in England’s squad for the autumn internationals and maintaining his place for a recent January training camp, even with the return of Leicester’s Jack van Poortvliet and Bristol’s Harry Randall from injury.
“This has been the hardest decision of my life so far because Sale is the club that I grew up supporting and dreaming of playing for,” Quirke stated.
“Playing here since I was 15 has been an amazing experience and a privilege that has shaped me as a player and a person and I will be forever grateful to [director of rugby] Alex [Sanderson], the owners, the coaches, the players and the supporters for truly believing in me.
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“It goes without saying that I will give everything I have for the rest of the season to bring success to Sale.
“I have always seen rugby as my opportunity to explore different environments, people and places. I feel, for my rugby and personal development, that my story just needs a new challenge and a new setting.”
According to the Daily Telegraph, external, Quirke has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with Newcastle Red Bulls. The club, recently backed by the energy drink giant, has been actively recruiting new talent.
Quirke, then just 20, came off the bench to score England’s third try in a 27-26 win over the Springboks in November 2021
Should he join Newcastle, Quirke will be vying for the number nine jersey with Argentina international Simon Benitez Cruz.
Other confirmed signings for Newcastle next season include All Black Hoskins Sotutu, Exeter players Josh Hodge and Rusi Tuima, and Northampton forwards Sam Graham and Elliot Millar-Mills, in addition to Benitez Cruz’s fellow countryman Franco Molina.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Raffi and as a homegrown player who grew up supporting the club, we all would have loved for him to continue his career with us,” said Sanderson.
“He feels like he wants to try a new environment and a new challenge and we respect his decision. He’ll leave with our blessing and thanks for everything that he’s given to the club while he’s been here.”
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