Newcastle Red Bulls recruit Pumas prop Moreno for English Premiership

Argentina prop Francisco Moreno will join Newcastle Red Bulls in the English Premiership after the Pumas complete their two home Tests against Australia. The move will take the recent Argentina debutant from Super Rugby Americas into England’s top-level club competition.

Moreno is currently part of the Los Pumas squad preparing for the two fixtures. Argentina will face Australia in Jujuy on August 29 and in Mendoza on September 5, with the 2026 international commitments set to come before his switch to Newcastle.

The 1.85-metre, 147-kilogram tighthead prop played for Los Tarucas during the most recent Super Rugby Americas season. His career has also included a spell with Os Cobras, Brazil’s professional team, while he developed at Universitario de Tucumán in Argentina.

Moreno made his Pumas debut against South Africa and immediately had an impact at scrum time, helping Argentina win a penalty from the opening set-piece. His performance drew praise and strengthened his reputation as a powerful option at tighthead.

His arrival follows the departure of fellow Argentina tighthead Eduardo Bello, who has moved to Ulster. Moreno will also compete for places in the English Premiership alongside other Pumas props, including Joel Sclavi and Pedro Delgado. Sclavi has joined Leicester Tigers from La Rochelle and is also regarded as a strong scrummager.

Newcastle Red Bulls will have four Argentina internationals in their squad for the coming season. Moreno will join Franco Molina, Simón Benítez Cruz and Benjamín Elizalde as the club’s Pumas representatives.