Callum Chick's recent move from Newcastle to Northampton wasn't just a change of scenery; it was a calculated decision fueled by a burning desire for trophies and England caps. He candidly admits that ambition outweighed loyalty to his hometown club. But here's where it gets controversial: was it the right move, especially considering the Red Bull takeover of Newcastle that followed shortly after his departure?
Chick, now 29, spent a significant portion of his career – 158 appearances – with Newcastle. He also earned three caps for England, the last one in June 2022 against the Barbarians. However, he felt that to reignite his international career and finally taste silverware, a change was necessary. He's betting on Northampton providing the platform he needs to catch the eye of England coach Steve Borthwick once again.
"The reason I moved is because I am 29 now and I want to win things," Chick explained. "I have played for England a couple of times, and I want to win more caps. These are the reasons I moved." He emphasizes that his focus remains on performing well for Northampton. "I am so happy that I moved to Northampton because I feel it is a really good fit for me, and I’m just really enjoying playing rugby again and enjoying winning games and playing well. So hopefully I can get selected. That is all I am in control of."
He acknowledges the importance of staying grounded. "I would love to be back in camp and playing again. That is my aspiration, but I think if you get caught up in that, you lose sight of what gets you there," he said, highlighting the need to focus on consistent performance rather than solely chasing international recognition. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about wanting it; it's about earning it through consistent, high-level play.
Interestingly, Newcastle's fortunes took a dramatic turn after Chick's exit. The club was acquired by Red Bull, injecting much-needed investment and hope for the future. Chick is optimistic about the impact this will have. "It was looking pretty ominous at the end of last season. We obviously didn’t know if the rugby club was going to be around this season. I’m so glad a company like Red Bull with such a huge opportunity to grow the club, and make the club what it deserves to be for the fans and the people who have followed for so long."
He tempers expectations, however, emphasizing that a turnaround won't happen overnight. "I do think good times will take time, as you can see, it’s not going to be an overnight fix. They have got to do some things and figure some things out, but I’m incredibly happy for the club. Give it four or five years, and they will be competing towards the top," he predicts.
Chick's debut for Northampton was certainly memorable, marking it with a hat-trick against Saracens in the PREM Rugby Cup. This immediate success has allowed him to rediscover the joy of winning regularly, a stark contrast to his experiences at Newcastle.
"I’m a Geordie, and the club did so much for me. Even though the past two years have been tough, I have learnt a lot about myself. Not a lot of people will experience what happened at Newcastle," Chick reflects. He doesn't shy away from acknowledging the difficulties he faced. "Being bottom of the league is not very nice pressure, clawing to pick up points and wins, or even just picking up some positives from performance. Being a competitive bloke, call it naivety, but I thought ‘this is the week we will win’ and, unfortunately, a lot of the time it didn’t turn out like that. It is pretty draining, and it does get tough. So being down here is refreshing."
He concludes by emphasizing the unique satisfaction that comes with victory. "That feeling of winning, you cannot emulate it with anything else, so to get that opportunity down here, I’m really enjoying it," Chick told RugbyPass.
So, was Chick right to leave Newcastle when he did? Did he jump ship just before the tide turned? Or was his ambition a valid and necessary driver for his career? And what does the Red Bull takeover really mean for the future of Newcastle? Will they truly be competing at the top in four or five years, or is that just wishful thinking? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
