Leeds sack DoR after relegation to English rugby's 4th flight

Leeds Tykes have this week confirmed that Jon Callard, their Director of Rugby, will depart from the club at the conclusion of the season. The decision was reached mutually, with “the club’s best interests” in mind.

Following the confirmation of relegation to National League 2 – English rugby’s fourth flight – after Saturday’s outcome, both the DoR and the board came to the conclusion that a change was necessary.

A statement from Leeds chairman Alastair Da Costa reads: “Both Jon and the board recognised that as relegation to National League 2 was confirmed after Saturday’s result, a change was needed.

“Pete Seabourne, who has been a leading part of the management at Leeds Tykes for the past two seasons, will assume immediate responsibility for rugby matters for the rest of this season and we are pleased to announce that Pete will also be appointed as the club’s Director of Rugby for the 2023-24 season, where he will undertake this position alongside his current role as Head of Rugby at the University of Leeds.

“The board and everyone at Leeds Tykes would like to thank Jon Callard for his commitment to the club over the past two seasons and it is recognised that Jon had a major part to play in the rebuild of Leeds Tykes at a difficult time for the club. Jon has had a significant impact and he will always be welcomed at Leeds Tykes.

“The board and everyone at the club are disappointed with this season’s outcome but our aim is now to move forward positively with Pete Seabourne in his new role,” concluded the statement which was released on Tuesday.

Leeds Tykes will be relegated alongside Hull. Leeds finished 5th in the then Zurich Premiership back in the 2002/2003 season.