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There were concerning scenes as the winger was left motionless on the ground after being struck in the face
Former England international Christian Wade’s debut for Newcastle Red Bulls was cut short after he was knocked out cold by an opponent’s swinging arm.
The 34-year-old announced in September that he would be returning to rugby union with Newcastle after a spell in rugby league with Wigan Warriors. He made his club debut on Saturday night as he was named in the starting line-up to face the Lions in the Challenge Cup at Kingston Park.
However, the one-cap international – who is aiming to break the Premiership’s all-time try-scoring record this season – lasted just 30 minutes on his return as his match – which Newcastle won 14-10 – was cut short in concerning scenes.
With his side trailing 7-10 on the half an hour mark, Wade collected the ball inside his own half and burst forwards into the Lions’ defence.
While he skipped past one player, however, he was immediately brought to the ground with a nasty thud after an attempted tackle by South African wing Angelo Davids.
Wade had stumbled forward after being tackled by another player, with Davids seemingly attempting to wrap his arm in the tackle before catching the England international in the jaw due to his body position suddenly dropping.
The contact knocked the Newcastle man out cold and he appeared to be unconscious before he even hit the ground, where he lay motionless with the ball trapped under him.
Referee Benoit Rousselet quickly brought the game to a halt as Wade’s team-mates appealed for help and a team medic immediately rushed to his aid.
The former Gloucester and Wasps star received treatment from medics for a further few minutes before being taken off the field, bringing his club debut to an early end. After a lengthy TMO review, meanwhile, Davids was shown a yellow card.
Providing an update on Wade at the full-time whistle, Newcastle head coach Alan Dickens said: “He got hit on the jaw from a swinging arm, but then hit his head on the floor as he hit the ground.
“Thankfully, I spoke to him in the changing room at half-time and then at the end of the game, but he’ll go through the HIA protocols over the next week or two.”
Davids had opened the scoring on Saturday night before Newcastle’s Alex Hearle levelled things up with a try of his own.
A Sam Francis penalty meant that the South African side led by three points for over 50 minutes, but Murray McCallum snatched victory for the hosts with a try in the 79th minute.
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