Bramley Phoenix RUFC
Leeds, West Yorkshire
West Leeds community club with a welcoming atmosphere for players of all abilities.
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Leeds rugby union and rugby league clubs sit side by side across the city. This page lists 17 clubs in and around Leeds, so you can compare both codes in one place. Then open any profile for the ground and contact details.
Where to play rugby union in Leeds
If you want to play Leeds rugby union, start with Headingley RFC, which dates from 1878. In addition, Roundhegians RFC and Bramley Phoenix RUFC offer 15-a-side rugby in the suburbs, with a welcoming community feel.
All Leeds rugby clubs (union and league)
Leeds Rugby League Clubs
Rugby League in Leeds
Leeds Rhinos are the city's professional rugby league club. Meanwhile, Hunslet RLFC flies the flag for South Leeds, and amateur clubs such as East Leeds ARLFC and Stanningley ARLFC keep the community game thriving.
For clubs further afield, browse the rugby league directory. Alternatively, see all rugby union clubs.
Leeds rugby union clubs
Rugby union clubs in Leeds range from National League 2 North sides in Otley and Wharfedale to community clubs in Morley, Headingley and north-west Leeds. If you want competitive Saturday rugby union, look at Otley, Wharfedale, Ilkley or Morley. For a friendly first club, look at Roundhegians, Bramley Phoenix or Aireborough.
| Club | Area | Founded | League 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otley RFC | Otley | 1865 | National League 2 North |
| Wharfedale RFC | Upper Wharfedale | 1923 | National League 2 North |
| Ilkley RFC | Ilkley | 1895 | Regional 1 North East |
| Morley RFC | Morley | 1878 | Regional 2 North East |
| Roundhegians RFC | Leeds | 1951 | Counties 2 Yorkshire B |
| Bramley Phoenix RUFC | Bramley, Leeds | 1970 | Counties 2 Yorkshire B |
| Aireborough RFC | Guiseley | 1921 | Counties 4 Yorkshire B |
Leagues confirmed from England Rugby team pages on 31 October 2026.
A common mix-up: searches for "Leeds rugby union" often bring up Leeds Rhinos, who play rugby league. If you want the 15-a-side game, use the union clubs in the table above.
Rugby league clubs in Leeds
Leeds is one of rugby league's heartlands. Leeds Rhinos play in Super League at Headingley, and Hunslet RLFC play in the RFL Championship. A strong amateur scene includes East Leeds, West Leeds, Stanningley, Bramley Buffaloes, Hunslet Warriors, Oulton Raiders and Kippax Welfare, which is where new players start.
| Club | Area | Founded | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds Rhinos | Headingley | 1890 | Super League (professional) |
| Hunslet RLFC | Hunslet | 1883 | RFL Championship |
| East Leeds ARLFC | East Leeds | 1903 | Amateur |
| Stanningley ARLFC | Stanningley | 1923 | Amateur |
| Oulton Raiders ARLFC | Oulton | 1932 | Amateur |
| Bramley Buffaloes ARLFC | Bramley | 1949 | Amateur |
| West Leeds ARLFC | West Leeds | 1963 | Amateur |
| Hunslet Warriors ARLFC | Hunslet | 1964 | Amateur |
| Kippax Welfare ARLFC | Kippax | 1929 | Amateur |
Playing tip: Leeds Rhinos do not run open-age teams for the public. To play rugby league in Leeds, contact one of the amateur clubs above. Most also run large junior sections. The amateur open-age season runs mainly through spring and summer.
Choosing between Leeds rugby teams
Choose a Leeds rugby team by code first, then by distance and training night. North and west Leeds have most of the rugby union clubs. East and south Leeds are rugby league territory. Contact two clubs, go to training, and pick the one where the coaching and the people suit you.
- North-west Leeds, Otley, Ilkley, Guiseley: mostly rugby union.
- East and south Leeds, Hunslet, Kippax, Oulton: mostly rugby league.
- West Leeds, Bramley, Stanningley: both codes within a couple of miles.
For clubs across the wider county, see our rugby league clubs list and Yorkshire rugby union clubs. Halifax (Siddal), Castleford and Wakefield are all within half an hour.
Is there a Leeds rugby union team?
Yes. The highest-ranked rugby union teams in the Leeds area are Otley and Wharfedale, both in National League 2 North. Inside the city, Morley, Headingley, Roundhegians and Bramley Phoenix run community rugby union. The old Leeds RFC is now Leeds Tykes, and Leeds Rhinos play rugby league.
Leeds Tykes (formerly Leeds RFC), historically the city’s top rugby union club, is not yet listed in our directory. If you run it, add the club for free. For rugby league clubs in Leeds, start with the amateur sides listed above, such as East Leeds, West Leeds and Stanningley.
Sources and further reading
Quick Answers
Leeds Rugby Clubs FAQs
Where can I play Leeds rugby union?
Headingley RFC, Roundhegians RFC and Bramley Phoenix RUFC all offer rugby union in Leeds. So you can choose the club closest to home.
Which professional rugby club plays in Leeds?
Leeds Rhinos are the city's professional rugby league club.
How many rugby clubs are in Leeds?
We list 11 clubs in Leeds itself: 3 rugby union and 8 rugby league. Including nearby Otley, Wharfedale, Ilkley, Morley and Aireborough, this page covers 17 clubs. More Leeds clubs are added regularly.
What happened to Leeds RFC?
Leeds RFC was formed in 1991 when Headingley and Roundhay merged. The club later became Leeds Tykes, Leeds Carnegie and Yorkshire Carnegie. Today, Headingley RFC and Roundhegians are among the rugby union clubs in Leeds.
Which rugby union teams in Leeds take beginners?
All the rugby union teams in Leeds that we list welcome new players. Headingley, Roundhegians and Bramley Phoenix each run a Leeds rugby union team at community level; contact the club and ask about training nights.
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