Wade eyes Prem try record after hat-trick in Newcastle loss
SUNDAY WRAP: Christian Wade’s hat-trick on Sunday took him to within just one try of Chris Ashton’s all-time Prem record of 101, but he could not prevent Newcastle from also suffering a third straight defeat, 28-34 at Exeter.
The 35-year-old former England wing, who spent three seasons in American football with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, now needs just one more try to equal the retired Ashton’s record, set in April 2023.
Ashton and Wade are the only two players to have scored a century of Prem tries.
“Christian is a really good man,” Newcastle boss Dan McFarland told the BBC.
“In terms of what he brings on the field, he’s got the dancing feet, he’s got the speed and he’s got a danger out there that has to be marked.”
Wade scored the bulk of his tries during his seven-year spell at Wasps before leaving Rugby Union for American football in 2018.
He joined the Bills in 2019 and scored a touchdown on his very first play in a pre-season game.
But he did not break into the team’s NFL roster and was released in April 2022.
Wade then moved to France, playing for Paris-based Racing 92. He returned to England in 2024 with southwest side Gloucester and after a short spell joined Newcastle in 2025.
“For a guy who’s not one of the new age of 6ft 3in [1.90 metre] wingers, he can dominate the aerial battle, so he’s done a really good job for us there,” said McFarland.
Exeter boss Rob Baxter admitted Wade was still a tough opponent, saying: “Fair play to him, now he’s still performing well and he’s obviously still got a great top-end pace.”
Meanwhile, Harlequins coach Jason Gilmore said his side had restored pride despite a 24-28 loss away to Sale on Sunday that condemned them to their third straight league defeat this season.
Fit-again England playmaker Marcus Smith marked his return from injury with two early tries for Quins, who suffered a humiliating 0-48 loss to Gloucester last weekend.
But Sale snatched victory with a penalty try seven minutes from time.
“It’s disappointing,” said Gilmore.
“We probably created three chances in the first half which we didn’t take which came back to bite us. Two bonus points on the road up here is, I wouldn’t say pleasing, but I’m just happy for the boys that they got some reward out of their work.”
See below for Sunday’s scores and scorers!
Sale 28-24 Harlequins
The scorers:
For Sale:
Tries: Canakaivata, Warr, Bamber, Penalty Try
Cons: Ford 3
For Harlequins:
Tries: Riley 2, Smith 2
Cons: Smith 2
Exeter 34-28 Newcastle
The scorers:
For Exeter:
Tries: Vintcent 2, Slade, Harris, Tchumbadze
Cons: Slade 3
Pen: Slade
For Newcastle:
Tries: Wade 3 Hicks
Cons: Henry 4
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