Rhinos’ Kirkstall facilities hit by flooding

Correspondent

Leeds Rhinos have been forced to move out of their training and administrative facilities at Kirkstall, due to flooding.

The facilities are based adjacent to the River Aire, which burst its banks on Sunday.

All seven training pitches have been affected water, and the 3G surface at the training ground may have to be dug up.

The total cost of repair is currently unknown, and the situation also affects rugby union side Yorkshire Carnegie, who share the facilities with the Rhinos.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington has described the situation as a “catastrophe”.

“We’ve lost Kirkstall to flooding, so both Rhinos and Carnegie are homeless,” he told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“It is catastrophic for all the rugby operation, the medical side, coaching, development and the Foundation.

“We have had flooding before, but never to this extent.”

The facilities may not be in use again until February.