Newcastle chief Steve Diamond admits the Premiership side would ‘definitely welcome’ Saudi Arabian investment amid financial struggles, as the winless Falcons target improvement on and off the field

Newcastle consulting director of rugby Steve Diamond would “certainly” be happy for the Falcons to become the first Gallagher Premiership club to receive investment from Saudi Arabia.

Newcastle United, the city’s Premier League soccer team, is already 80 percent owned by a cash-rich Gulf state sovereign wealth fund, known as the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

And there’s a very real chance that Saudi money will soon arrive at Kingston Park, as Diamond looks to improve the Falcons’ standing on and off the field.

Their owner Semore Kurdi and chairman Matt Thompson visited Saudi Arabia earlier this year and Diamond believes a potential financial deal should not be in question despite the country’s poor human rights record, given the bleak financial situation of English rugby.

“Semore, through his professional contacts, went out with Matt and met all the rugby union dignitaries in Saudi Arabia,” said Diamond, who takes charge of Newcastle for the first time this weekend.

“I don’t think for a moment that they expect us to put on a game before the Tyson Fury fight in May, but they want to explore how we can help them and how they can reciprocate if there has an investment.” They play many sports at the moment and they want rugby to be a focal point in Saudi Arabia.

“There’s a natural connection to the football team here that these people own.” The Saudi rugby organization – which maintains close links with the PIF – appears to want to develop the sport in its country, with a particular emphasis on rugby sevens.

Discussions about a mutually beneficial relationship with Newcastle have already begun and could lead to a rapprochement of the forces of the PIF and the Falcons in the future.

The PIF has also held discussions with other Premiership clubs, including Leicester and Gloucester.

Saudi rugby dignitaries are planning to attend a Newcastle home match in the coming weeks. The Falcons are yet to win a Premiership game this season.

Diamond was hired to change things.

British boxing stars Anthony Joshua and Fury have regularly fought in Saudi Arabia in recent years and the country’s support for the sport has already seen them invest heavily in Newcastle United and significantly shake up the golf ecosystem with the launch of LIV Golf.

“English club rugby is in a delicate position. He needs to get out of the mess he found himself in,” Diamond said.

“Rugby is very good at committing suicide, isn’t it? I’m not competent enough to talk about human rights, but it doesn’t seem to bother any other sport played in Saudi Arabia. Only rugby is good enough to shoot itself in the foot with any political statement and refuse investment.

Diamond will reduce his Newcastle squad by up to 20 players and proven talented young players Guy Pepper and Louie Johnson will both leave for Bath and Saracens respectively.

England number 8 Billy Vunipola and his brother Mako will both leave Saracens at the end of this season.

Billy Vunipola is set to follow former England captain Owen Farrell and a host of other internationals in moving to France after agreeing a move to Montpellier.

England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet will make his long-awaited return after an ankle injury forced him to miss last year’s World Cup this evening (Friday).

Van Poortvliet is on Leicester’s bench for their home clash with Gloucester as the Premiership returns after a break for the Six Nations. League leaders Northampton will also travel to Bristol.

The Premiership has renewed its broadcast deal with TNT Sports for a further two years with a commitment to live broadcast every match of the 2024-25 campaign.

George North is out of action for at least six months and played his final match for the Welsh Region Ospreys after confirming he ruptured his Achilles tendon against Italy last weekend.

The 24-21 defeat against the Azzurri was North’s last international before retirement from the Test. He is expected to join French second division side Provence for next season.