Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants play in the Super League competition and play their home games at the John Smith's Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C. The Giants finished 4th on the 2010/2011 season.
Huddersfield is also one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895, making them one of the world's first rugby league teams. With a trophy haul of 7 Championships and 6 Challenge Cups they are historically one of the most successful clubs in Rugby League.
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos are the reigning 2011 Champions playing in the Engage Super League Competition. As Leeds only professional rugby league team, the Rhinos have enjoyed success over recent years having won 5 Championships since 2004. The Club boasts several international players including Kevin Sinfield, Ryan Hall and Jamie Jones-Buchanan. The Rhinos call Headingley Carnegie Stadium home, ten minute bus ride from Leeds City Centre.
Rhinos' massive rivals are local Bradford Bulls, and with Castleford, Huddersfield and Wakefield other West Yorkshire opponents, local derbies are never far away.
Leeds are rugby league aristocrats, combining big name signings, with home-produced talent. England stars developing through the club's Academy include Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire. You will also see current England captain Jamie Peacock turning out for the Rhinos, although he made his name at rivals Bradford.
Leeds are also the World Champions too having defeated Manly Sea Eagles in February!
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Leeds was in at the start of the development of Headingley as one of the UK's finest sporting venues. Even more so since a recent major redevelopment. The club have played at the Carnegie Stadium in Headingley north-west Leeds city centre since 1890. As home to not only the Rhinos, but also rugby union's Leeds Carnegie, and The Yorkshire County Cricket Club, it's something of a sporting crucible. Located in the very heart of an area that's full of brilliant pubs, bars and eateries, it's only a short hop from the bustle and bright lights of Leeds city centre too.
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls have been a revelation in the Super League, with stunning success including a clean sweep of all the major rugby league honours in 2003, with Super League, the Challenge Cup and the World Club Championship among the spoils. The Bulls also scooped the Super League in 1997, 2001, and 2005, the Challenge Cup in 2000 and the World Club Challenge in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
The team's familiar white jersey with red, black and amber hoops make them one of the most distinctive to take the pitch, to do battle against Leeds Rhinos, or their more traditional derby rivals, Huddersfield Giants.
Bradford Bulls have not been at the top of their form in the last season or two, but are still a massive presence and among the biggest draws in the game. They have a knack of producing great talent, such as current young British superstar Sam Burgess, who recently made a big money move to Australia, and England captain Jamie Peacock, now with the Rhinos. Many regard this year's player to watch as Great Britain centre Paul Sykes.
Bradford Bulls' home, the Grattan Stadium (formerly Odsal Stadium), is a multi-sport venue just south of Bradford city centre, which has been their home ground since 1934, and in 1954 saw one of the largest attendances for a rugby game of all time, at over 102,000.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, one of the oldest names in rugby league, were originally formed by the members of a church, and enjoy nothing more than the chance to bring local rivals, the Castleford Tigers, to their knees!
Five times Challenge Cup winners and twice champions in the distant past, dubbed by passionate fans simply 'Wakey', 'Trinity', or the 'Wildcats', they have remained among the sport's Super League elite since promotion from National League competition in 1999, and in 2009 enjoyed their best ever season, including entry to the end of season play-offs.
Head coach John Kear has overseen a resurgence in success, including a place in the semi-final of the 2008 Challenge Cup, and will be looking to go at least one better in either competition this year, if not both. Club captain Jason Demetriou has played internationally for both Canada and Greece.
Wakefield Trinity has been at its Belle Vue stadium since 1879, and the venue can be easily accessed by bus, train or car.
Hull FC
Hull FC may have the most unexpected history of all Yorkshire's rugby league clubs, having been originally formed by a group of ex-public schoolboys from York in 1865. Today Hull FC's biggest rivals are the city's other professional team, Hull Kingston Rovers, and their stunning head-to-head encounters play to full houses and make for one of the most passionate fixtures in rugby league.
In 2005 Hull FC reached their most recent high with a last-minute try to grab a glorious one-point victory against mighty Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (their third victory overall in the competition). They also reached a Wembley final in 2008. The Black & Whites, after their familiar hooped jerseys, have fallen a little short since then, but are confidently building for future success under coach Richard Agar, with a team that includes former Brisbane and Australia star Shaun Berrigan as hooker and captain Lee Radford.
Hull FC, who can truly claim to be one of oldest clubs in rugby league, play at one of the most modern venues, the Kingston Communications Stadium they have shared with the high-flying footballing counterparts Hull City since January 2003.
Hull Kingston Rovers
One of the truly iconic clubs of rugby league, it's not long since Hull Kingston Rovers could lay justifiable claim to be the sport's most famous name. Now 'Hull KR' are right back in the big time, having consolidated their hard-earned Super League position with fourth spot and a play-off series place in 2009, achieved with just four wins less than champions Leeds.
In 2005 the club won the Northern Rail Cup before being crowned National League Champions in 2006 and storming back to join the elite once again, where many will feel they rightfully belong. Coach Justin Morgan and captain Mick Vella, and a pool of players including great overseas talent like Ben Galea and Clint Newton, will be hoping for even better this year. Four Hull KR players were named in the official Super League Dream Team for 2009, so the foundations are strong.
Taking the field in their instantly recognisable white shirts with red bands, 'The Robins' have had a number of grounds in their time but are now well established in their compact 10,000-seater Craven Park Stadium, just off Preston Rd in East Hull. With rivals Hull FC based on the west side, it makes for a massive derby atmosphere when the two go head to head. Admission to watch Hull KR at Craven Park is available on a match by match basis with single game tickets available at great prices.
Castleford Tigers
Founder Super League members, Castleford Tigers, enjoy lots of nicknames, and even more success! The club known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers' or 'Classy Cas', were also known as 'The Glassblowers', traditionally the trade of many supporters.
But they're not just a pretty name! The Tigers, famous for their attractive and stylish rugby, have won the prestigious Challenge Cup four times, the Yorkshire Cup five times, and twice been crowned National League Champions. In 2009 'Cas' reached the Super League play-offs.
Offering a great match day experience with family entertainment and a strong community focus, the team combines home-produced talent with international stars. The current squad includes New Zealand international Rangi Chase and young England stars Joe Westerman and Michael Shenton, widely regarded as this year's player to watch.
Castleford's top rivalry is against neighbouring Wakefield Wildcats, although they also enjoy fierce competition with Leeds Rhinos, Hull KR and Bradford Bulls, not to mention St Helens from across the border in Lancashire!
The Tigers' home since 1927 has been the appropriately named 'Jungle' on Wheldon Road, a short walk from the town centre, although 'Cas' will soon be found at a new state-of-the-art community sports complex currently in development.