Rivals lend support but fans are far from convinced

The Championship club will be known as Yorkshire Carnegie next season after their hierarchy decided that to be the only way to create a side capable of sustained Premiership rugby.

The move has caused consternation among some of their own fans and derision, too, from supporters of the region’s other teams who label it “arrogant”.

However, the clubs themselves have offered support and confirmed they were consulted more than six months ago.

Rotherham chairman Nick Cragg, whose side are currently level with second-placed Leeds as they each chase promotion, hopes it works, but realises there are significant issues to contend.

“It is an interesting concept but if it is to be a true Yorkshire club it must address those issues particularly in the big centre of South Yorkshire where the other two big, powerful clubs reside,” he said.

“To be truly Yorkshire it must, I think, have representation and play some games here and appeal to the East Riding too.”

Cragg can see why the Leeds name has been dropped by executive chairman Sir Ian McGeechan and chief executive Gary Hetherington considering Premiership clubs they aspire to follow.

“Saracens is not a place and neither is Wasps, Harlequins, London Irish etcetera,” he added.

“There is precedent for having no ‘place’ as such. It’s more about the brand and that seems to be what Leeds are doing. Yorkshire is a big county with a lot of people in it so if they can pull it off, it might make a sustainable club.

“To be that you have to have a big financial backer or many smaller backers.

“Gary’s model is many wealthy individuals who will come together on this journey with them. Good luck to them.”

As Leeds look to tap into business support across the Broad Acres, Cragg admits Rotherham would explore such options themselves if they secure promotion.

“We’d have to do something very similar and get extra support financially to compete while it would revolve for us around getting somewhere to play,” he said, with their Clifton Lane ground not meeting Premiership standards.

Cragg suggests Wakefield – whose union club disbanded 10 years ago – would be an ideal place for Carnegie to start their quest given its position “betwixt and between” in the county.

National One leaders Doncaster, meanwhile, confirmed they had been approached by Leeds to see if they had any objections to the name change and they did not.