Leeds Tykes is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, that currently competes in the Zurich Premiership, the highest level of the sport in England.

History

Headingley has a tradition of rugby which started back in 1877. After several youngsters became interested in rugby after watching Leeds St. Johns, later to become Leeds Rhinos rugby league team. Their first game was in November against the Saints second team. In 1889, Headingley was disbanded when Leeds St. Johns moved into the area, built Headingley Stadium and dropped the St. Johns from their name. However, Headingley bounced back and found fixtures outside Yorkshire, in 1901 their fixture list including a game against the famous Blackheath club.

Roundhay were formed in 1924 and moved to their grounds at Chandos Park in the 1930s. Forty internationals have played for one team or the other perhaps the best known being Peter Winterbottom, Ian McGeechan and Chris Rea who played for Headingley. Brian Moore played for Roundhay before his moved down to Nottingham and his selection for England.

Leeds RUFC was founded in 1991 after the merger of Roundhay and Headingley and played their first match on 1st September 1992 against Hull Ionians. Leeds are owned by the same company that owns the rugby league club Leeds Rhinos and since 1996 share their stadium. They were renamed Leeds Tykes in 1998. A "Tyke" is a traditional Yorkshire character rugged, hardworking and with great pride in their roots.

In 2005 they were bottom of the Zurich Premiership yet somehow made it to their first ever Powergen Cup final. They faced Bath who were top of the table and had never been beaten in a cup final. Leeds recorded a shock 20-12 win to claim their first ever trophy.

Current England elite squad

• Iain Balshaw
• Mark Regan

Club Honours

• Powergen Cup 2005

External links

• Leeds rugby
• Fansite
• Data, Results and others about Leeds (in English and in French)