Red Bull arrival a 'brilliant signal' for Prem Rugby

Newcastle Red Bulls will continue to play their home games at Kingston Park

The takeover of Newcastle by global energy drinks company Red Bull is a 'brilliant signal' for the future of the Gallagher Prem, according to its chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor.

Red Bull have become the owners of the Kingston Park club in what heralds a new era for English rugby union.

And for the league itself, the arrival of such a big company is a further sign of the green shoots of recovery, following on from increased television audiences and a long-term broadcast deal with TNT Sports.

"There are loads of encouraging signs," Massie-Taylor told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"There's still a lot of work to do and this whole mission is to make clubs as investable as possible because we've relied on the current generation of owners.

"They want to pass it on and leave it in good hands like (former Newcastle owner) Semore Kurdi has done with Red Bull. That sends a brilliant signal for the league."

Max Verstappen has won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship for four consecutive seasons in his Red Bull car

'Red Bull can inspire whole generation'

Newcastle have fallen behind the rest of the Premiership in the last few years, finishing bottom in each of the past three seasons.

They have been desperate for new investment, while there were genuine fears that they could go the same way as Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish and go out of business altogether.

Instead the club can now draw upon the expertise of Red Bull and their vast sporting portfolio.

Massie-Taylor believes that Newcastle's new owners will use their experience in how to market teams and athletes to generate further interest in the English club game.

"If you think about our vision for the Gallagher Prem or more broadly what rugby needs, it needs to build up those personalities and those athletes and shout about the game," he said.

"I think Red Bull will do a great job of that.

"It's a great thing for rugby, a great thing for the Gallagher Prem and it's a great thing for the north.

"Part of their plan will be to invest in talent and a pathway and there's a huge amount of talent up there.

"If you're a young person now with the aspiration of being a professional sportsperson, the idea of being a Red Bull athlete and playing for Newcastle Red Bulls will inspire a whole generation."