Some 40 internationals have played for them in their history including Peter Winterbottom and Ian McGeechan.
The new club opened with a 31-10 win over Hull Ionians in a friendly at the Kirkstall ground on September 1, 1992.
They began their competitive career in National League Three and promotion was achieved in 1995, but a re-organisation of league rugby saw them in National Four.
A pivotal move was the appointment of Welsh international Phil Davies as Director of Rugby in 1996. Leeds then forged a business partnership with Leeds Rhinos, the rugby league club, and adopted the name Leeds Tykes.
Reaching the Premiership and Powergen Cup winners
In a golden period between 1998-2006 they reached the Premiership and won the Powergen Cup by beating Bath in the final.
But after five seasons in the top flight, they were relegated.
Stuart Lancaster, a former Leeds player and future England coach, took over the reins from Davies. In the next four seasons, Leeds experienced a yo-yo spell, being promoted twice and relegated twice.
From 2007 to 2013 the club were renamed Leeds Carnegie in a deal with the local university.
Then, in 2014, they were rebranded Yorkshire Carnegie, but subsequently lost key investors.
Players and staff were eventually told the club would be returning to part-time status for the 2019-20 season.
It resulted in the club finishing bottom of the Championship without winning a game – and being relegated.
Post-Covid they survived their first season back in National One before being relegated the following year.
Promoted back to National One
Another England international, Jon Callard, was then replaced at the helm by Pete Seabourne.He led Tykes to a runners-up finish in National Two North before sealing promotion in 2024/25.
Rams won the first game between the sides 29-11 at Old Bath Road in September 2021 – Tom Vooght with a brace as Henry Bird, Ollie Taylor and Ollie Cole also crossed the whitewash.
Leeds, however, gained revenge with a 25-22 triumph in January.They overturned a 22-7 half-time deficit built on tries from debutant Charlie Robson, Vooght, Max Hayman and Connor Hayhow.
Three wins in a row for Rams
Hayman (two), Drew Humberstone, Ellis Jones, James McRae and Robson went over in a 36-10 win in November 2022.And Rams completed a double 52-24 later in the campaign.
Jak Rossiter’s hat-trick led the way with Zach Clow bagging a brace and Robbie Stapley, Hayhow and McRae also over the line.
Rams overcame 50 miles per hour winds last October to secure a 19-7 away win in a contest which saw the hosts receive a remarkable five yellow cards.Following a tepid opening quarter Morgan MacRae opened the scoring, Mike Cooke with the extras.Leeds levelled early in the second period thanks to Ben Dixon and Ed Crossland, but it was the away side who sealed the deal thanks to Clow and Hayman, Cooke with another kick.
And the Berkshire Boys completed a double as Axel Kalling-Smith’s brilliant hat-trick inspired a 34-24 home triumph in January.Hayman opened the scoring before Crossland added to a Connor Walker effort.Harry Stone nudged Rams back in front before Seramai Bai Turagabeci converted for Tykes.But the hosts led at the break as Kalling-Smith and Clow crossed, Andrew Lamb on target after the latter for 22-14.Kalling-Smith bagged two more quick scores on 43 and 49 minutes, Cooke with a kick to turn the screw.And while Bertie Bradshaw and Walker earned Leeds a bonus-point, it was merely a consolation in defeat.To book tickets at the discounted rate before midnight on Friday, click here
