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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
It is owned by the same company that owns the rugby league club Leeds Rhinos. Both Leeds Tykes and Leeds Rhinos play their home matches at Headingley Stadium.
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, They have played at Headingley since 1996 were renamed Leeds Tykes in 1998. A "Tyke" is a traditional Yorkshire character rugged, hardworking and with great pride in their roots.
Current England elite squad
External links
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