Established in 1887, the Leicestershire Rugby Union (LRU) has a rich history of rugby. The union was created after a number of local clubs had begun playing and the sport was growing in popularity, with Hinckley, Market Harborough, Loughborough and Lutterworth still playing today. By 1900 there were 14 member clubs and in 1920 the LRU became a constituent body of the English Rugby Union. Following the first world war, the growth of the junior rugby clubs began and even through the second world war players continued to keep the sport alive with travelling servicemen playing for the Leicestershire Harlequins. Post war saw the the playing strip change from the Tigers red, white and green that we are all so familiar with, to a maroon jersey with the Leicestershire fox, the logo we still use today. Leicestershire were at the forefront of junior rugby and with their involvement in schools, they led the way with the RFU in creating a structure for boys aged under 13 years. Today the LRU has 32 member clubs and can boast not only high class amateur clubs, but one premiership club, one national level 1 team and 3 national level 2 teams. We have a rich history of rugby with 7 Tigers players playing for the winning 2003 Rugby World Cup team. Many local players have gone on to play on the international platform.
