Scrum-half Raffi Quirke has called leaving Sale Sharks one of the most difficult decisions of his career, but he is looking forward to joining the newly restructured Newcastle Red Bulls. Quirke is among 25 new signings at the club, which is trying to rebuild after finishing at the bottom of the league for the past four seasons. Moving north means leaving his boyhood club and familiar surroundings, but Quirke is eager to be part of a new chapter for Newcastle. In an interview with the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, Quirke said the decision to leave Sale was tough, especially after spending years with the club and building relationships with teammates, coaches, and friends. "It was probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make," he said. "I needed a new chapter and to get out of my comfort zone." He emphasized that the changes at Newcastle feel significant, with new coaching staff, more rigorous training sessions, and a stronger focus on performance feedback. Despite the challenges of joining a team with so many new faces, Quirke is excited about the opportunity to build a strong, cohesive unit from scratch. "We need to connect as quickly as possible, both on and off the pitch," he said. Growing up at Sale, he was deeply familiar with the team dynamic, but at Newcastle, he is still learning about his new teammates. Players have come from around the world, including New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and France, bringing diverse experiences and backgrounds. To foster unity, the team has taken bonding trips, like a recent visit to Austria, and has held weekend social events. Quirke noted that the group is naturally sociable, with no existing cliques to disrupt the team spirit. "If you went for dinner with the team, you wouldn’t mind what table you were sat at," he said. Quirke also hopes the move will help him regain a regular spot in the England squad. He said the club's coaches are committed to pushing him to perform at his best, and he is eager to prove himself again on the international stage. "I want to be playing for England again—that's my main goal," he said.