Rugby League Nicknames - Past And Present Quiz

Answer: Warrington Wolves

Warrington is a town on the River Mersey, and was, for many years, a centre for the manufacture of steel wire, thus the nickname of the rugby team. Warrington RLFC, founded in 1876, adopted the "Wolves" nickname in 1996. As well as being alliterative, there is a local connection with the animal, a wolf's head appearing on the town's coat of arms.

Answer: Leeds Rhinos

Residents of Leeds, in West Yorkshire, have long been known as "Loiners", although the exact etymology of the word is open to debate. Leeds RLFC were founded in 1870, and adopted the citizens' nickname as their own. In 1996, the nickname "Rhinos" was adopted - you won't see a rhinoceros wandering around the streets of Leeds, the name is clearly connected to the style of plsy of Rugby League players.

Answer: Castleford Tigers

Castleford is a town in West Yorkshire with a long association with glassmaking, thus the nickname of the rugby team founded in 1926. The traditional colours of the team are amber and black, thus the "Tigers" name which was adopted in 1996. The team's stadium, Wheldon Road, is sometimes referred to as "The Jungle" to fit in with the club's new image.

Answer: Widnes Vikings

Widnes is a town on the banks of the River Mersey, with a long association with the chemicals industry. Widnes RLFC were founded in 1875, and, unsurprisingly, adopted the "Chemics" nickname. The Vikings had a presence in the area in the 9th century, thus the new, Super League era, nickname.

Answer: Batley Bulldogs

Batley is a town in West Yorkshire. The Rugby team were formed in 1880, and known as "Gallant Youths" from their early days. In 1897, they became the first-ever winners of the Rugby League Challenge Cup. The "Bulldogs" moniker adopted in 1996 is purely alliterative, although there are probably a few residents of the town with pet bulldogs.

Answer: Barrow Raiders

Barrow-in-Furness is in Cumbria, and has had a long connection with the shipbuilding industry, thus the original nickname of Barrow RLFC, founded in 1875. Their original Super League name was "Braves", but this was quickly dropped when they merged with (took over) Carlisle Border Raiders RLFC. The "Border" bit was later dropped, as Barrow is quite a bit south of the Scottish border.

Answer: Huddersfield Giants

Huddersfield is in West Yorkshire, and the rugby club was founded in 1895. Their traditional home was Fartown (both the name of the stadium and the area where it was located), thus the nickname of "Fartowners". They moved out in 1992 to ground-share with Huddersfeld FC soccer team, firstly at Leeds Road, then at the modern John Smith's Stadium.

A new nickname was needed, and the highly unoriginal "Giants" was selected.

Answer: Wigan Warriors

Wigan is a large town in Greater Manchester. The rugby team's traditional home was Central Park, which was located on the banks of the River Douglas, thus the "Riversiders" nickname. In 1999, they moved into the DW Stadium, which they share with Wigan Athletic FC. The Super League "Warriors" name is an alliterative one.

Answer: Keighley Cougars

Keighley is a town in West Yorkshire, and the rugby team was founded there in 1876. Their home ground was originally called Lawkholme Lane, thus the nickname. In 1991, a few years before the Super League was formed, the "Cougars" nickname was adopted and their ground was renamed Cougar Park.

The nickname is purely alliterative, you won't find any cougars wandering around the town's streets.

Answer: Bradford Bulls

Bradford is a large city in West Yorkshire. Bradford Northern RLFC was founded in 1907, with the nickname forming part of the club's official name. This alluded to the Northern Rugby Football Union, a breakaway league which formed the new sport of Rugby League - the clubs had previously played the all-amateur sport of Rugby Union. With the formation of the Super League in 1996, the "Northern" bit was jettisoned, and the club rebranded the "Bulls".

This is purely alliterative, as the creature on the club's original crest was a boar.