Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan fully expects his Yorkshire Carnegie club to be making a return to Huddersfield YMCA.

Carnegie’s ‘On the road’ British and Irish Cup rugby union clash with Ulster Ravens has been hailed a huge success.

As well as beating the Northern Irish 27-19 in front of a 750-plus crowd, Carnegie officials have expressed their delight at the way the whole event was organised.

And that’s convinced Carnegie Director of rugby and former British Lions player and coach Sir Ian that the ties should look to be strengthened.

“We had a wonderful day with the YMCA,” he said. “The welcome we received couldn’t have been warmer, and I have to say the facilities were absolutely tremendous.

“I actually played at Laund Hill for Headingley as a 16-year-old in 1963 and all they had was a pitch and two Nissen huts!

“But now it boasts a great main stand, a top playing surface and some fantastic catering.

“The hope at Carnegie is that we can do a bit more with the YMCA in the future, with more ‘On the road’ games central to that.

“As a club, we want to develop closer links with clubs throughout the county, because we know if we do that and our bonds become stronger, then Yorkshire Carnegie can get back into rugby’s top flight, where we belong.”