Leeds to become Yorkshire Carnegie

Leeds Carnegie Chairman Sir Ian McGeechan has revealed plans for the club to called Yorkshire Carnegie from next season.
The Championship side will continue to play their matches at Headingley but will be run by a new board as they aim to become a force in English and European rugby.
To achieve that goal, McGeechan is appealing for a broad base of financial support from across Yorkshire from people with a real interest in enhancing Yorkshire Rugby Union‘s legacy that dates back to 1876 with the formation of the Yorkshire RFU.
Leeds, who were relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2010-11 season and lost out to Newcastle in last season’s play-offs, are currently second in the table, two points behind leaders London Welsh.
McGeechan said: “The player pool within the county is as strong as ever with the fantastic work being done at junior and school levels.
“We now face a crossroads if we are able to create a sustainable future for the professional side of the game.
“The only way we can fulfil our vision is to bring together all interested parties and create a new board to enable Yorkshire Carnegie to have the resources to compete with the very best.”
Leeds rugby chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “The business model for professional rugby union has changed dramatically over the last decade and now we must forge a new way to give Yorkshire the chance to succeed.
“Rather than relying on the generosity of a handful of benefactors we now want to create a group to control the Yorkshire franchise and allow the club to challenge the best in England and Europe.”