Ian Kirke Name Ian Kirke Position Second Row Date of Birth 26/12/1980 Place of Birth Doncaster Previous Club York City Knights Weight  111kg Height  1.95m Honours n/a Squad Number 17 Debut  v Castleford 5th March 2006 Leeds Career : Since signing for the Rhinos as a relative unknown, second rower Ian Kirke, has more than proved he is capable with competing with the best players in Super League. From playing part time rugby with fellow Yorkshire side York City Knights, Ian grabbed the opportunity to play for the Rhinos and has forced his way into the first team at the club. He made his debut against Castleford at home, coming on from the bench in the 66-14 win and had a dream start to his Leeds career by scoring a try in what was the Rhinos biggest league win of the season. He played in a further 16 games and scored his second try for the club against Wigan, when the Rhinos were narrowly defeated 20-18 at home. As well as making a successful breakthrough to the first team, Ian also played an important role for the Senior Academy where he made a 12 starts before lining up in the team who defeated Hull in the Grand Final. Rugby Career : Ian previously played for Hull KR, Hull, Dewsbury and York. He rose through the Rovers Academy structure and in 2000 Ian helped the team to a seventh place finish in the league, making 18 appearances. In his three years with Hull KR he also had a spell with Hull FC’s Alliance side. By 2002 Ian had moved onto York Wasps where he showed promise in the 8 games he played before the team went bust mid season. He then went onto finish the 2002 campaign with Dewsbury where he made 15 appearances and scored 3 tries. The following year he made just six appearances for the Rams but by the next season Ian had established himself as a first team regular, starting 23 games over the year and was one of the side’s better players in their poor 2004 campaign. In 2005 he broke a hand playing for Great Britain Students, but he bounced back when he made the move across the county, to join Mick Cooks’ York City Knights where he had an outstanding season, helping the side to promotion to National League One. At the end of the season he was spotted by Tony Rea who brought him in on loan for a month with the Broncos. Personal Details : Ian attended Hornsea High School and his favourite subject at school was science, his least favourite being maths. His says his ideal day out would be spent scuba diva in Bora Bora and he would like to travel after his career is over. His childhood hero was Leeds legend Ellery Hanley and his greatest achievement of his career so far was signing for Leeds. His favourite ground away from Headingley Carnegie is Hull FC’s KC Stadium perhaps because it is one of us former clubs or the fact that he won the Senior Academy Grand Final there in 2006. To return to the main squad profiles page click here.