Frustration is good sign, says McFarland after Newcastle fall to Leicester

Dan McFarland says frustration is a good sign after Newcastle Red Bulls slipped to a 24-19 defeat by Leicester Tigers at Kingston Park.

The loss on Saturday was Newcastle's first home game of the 2026-27 Gallagher PREM campaign and their second defeat in a row. They are still searching for a first league win of the season, according to BBC Sport.

The scoreboard did not reflect the stats. Newcastle had more possession, more territory and carried for more metres than Leicester. They still lost.

They did take something from the night. A losing bonus point, the extra league point awarded for finishing within seven points of the winners, kept them moving on the table.

What makes this stand out is the mood. McFarland said his players were annoyed rather than downhearted as they turned their attention to Exeter Chiefs. Frustration, in his view, shows standards are rising.

There is a balance to strike. McFarland said the team wants growth and wins together, with the senior leadership group stressing that Newcastle must find a way to win while improving each week.

It is a new group learning fast. McFarland has described the squad as Newcastle 2.0 after the club brought in 25 players for this season. He added he is excited to have the backing of the owners while trying to fuse that new team together in the Prem.

Next up is Exeter away on Sunday at 15:00 BST. It is a meeting of two winless sides, with Exeter also having lost their opening two games before hosting Newcastle.

For fans, this means a quick chance to reset. Newcastle were rebuilt for this season around head coach McFarland, number eight Hoskins Sotutu and scrum-half Raffi Quirke. Sotutu made his first start against Leicester after McFarland made two changes to the side beaten at Northampton in Round 1, according to Premiership Rugby.

McFarland said Newcastle will go to Exeter full of intent and are placing no limit on what is possible.