Yorkshire Rugby

It seems Leeds Tykes are desperate to temporarily reduce their wage with a number of players being sent out on loan to clubs lower down. The deal is that they can recalled at short notice if needed by Leeds - and the borrowing club must cover all match fee and other costs during the loan.

The loans that are currently known about are:

North Ribb - utility back/winger
Ilkley - scrum half.

Anyone know if any others?

Is this a sign of Leeds in financial difficulties (again) or destination clubs lacking strength in depth?

Quote from: backrowbandit on Oct 20, 2026, 06:52 AMIt seems Leeds Tykes are desperate to temporarily reduce their wage with a number of players being sent out on loan to clubs lower down. The deal is that they can recalled at short notice if needed by Leeds - and the borrowing club must cover all match fee and other costs during the loan.

The loans that are currently known about are:

North Ribb - utility back/winger
Ilkley - scrum half.

Anyone know if any others?

Is this a sign of Leeds in financial difficulties (again) or destination clubs lacking strength in depth?

Could be both but also could be Leeds realising that stockpiling a load of players with no 2nd team isn't the best way to develop players or have match ready players available to step up to cover injuries.

Ours was baptised at Alnwick last Saturday. Ouch !

Speaking with someone involved with the ladies section at West Park Leeds they were saying the Tykes are on the move again. Wonder where they are headed?

Quote from: Rob13 on Oct 20, 2026, 08:26 AMSpeaking with someone involved with the ladies section at West Park Leeds they were saying the Tykes are on the move again. Wonder where they are headed?

Otley have also stated they will become nomadic soon too.

Quote from: backrowbandit on Oct 20, 2026, 06:52 AMIs this a sign of Leeds in financial difficulties (again) or destination clubs lacking strength in depth?

They are not the only 'senior' club to have hoovered up players over the summer.
2nd Teams into the leagues appears to be the major reasoning but also the old adage of if we've signed them, then at least they can't play against us.

Otley too ? Awaiting their call !

Never made sense to me that national league players can't dual register with regional/county teams. Plenty of talented rugby players carrying water bottles or less every weekend. Most teams would take a fringe national league player in their squad without worrying too much about where they train.

In a sport with less players than ever playing, it seems daft to have so many players not actually playing on a weekend.

I would question 2 players counting as a fest. Probably a standard amount for a national league club.

Ah....but they're ones we know about..

Hooker/Back row to sheff tigers
Hough seems to be at Ponte, not sure if permanent

Old news about Otley. Who knows when are where they will end up.

Quote from: Rob13 on Oct 21, 2026, 10:42 AMOld news about Otley. Who knows when are where they will end up.

Maybe Rounday Park, convenient for the dermatology department at Chapel Allerton hospital...

Our Loanee is ex-Wharfedale player McNab. He only lives four miles from us and couldnt possibly comment on payment terms unless it upset somebody. It is a temporary loan as he revovers from an injury and Tykes were keen to get him some gametime. As stated above its criminal that so many talented players dont play for clubs with no second teams in these times of diminishing participation.

BRB - Sorry I missed thetrip on saturday but had been struck down with a severe chest infection and woukld not have liked to mingle with both squads and caused an epidemic, least of all you and Colin et al. Was very unpleasant.

Glad you not too bad flaggy - I had a good chat with your nephew who said you weren't very well - but I didn't want to be nosey. Glad you just had man flu!!