Leon Hayes

{{Short description|English rugby league footballer}} {{Infobox rugby league biography | name = Leon Hayes | fullname = Leon Hayes | image = | image_size = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2004|03|04|df=y}} | birth_place = Warrington, Cheshire, England | height = {{convert|1.64|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}} | weight = {{convert|79|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}} | position = {{rlp|SH|HK}} | club1 = Warrington Wolves | year1start = 2021 | year1end = present | appearances1 = 12 | tries1 = 0 | goals1 = 6 | fieldgoals1 = 0 | points1 = 12 | club2 = {{nowrap|→ West Wales Raiders}} | year2start = 2021{{small|(loan)}} | year2end = | appearances2 = 1 | tries2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | fieldgoals2 = 0 | points2 = 0 | club3 = {{nowrap|→ North Wales Crusaders}} | year3start = 2023{{small|(loan)}} | appearances3 = 1 | tries3 = 0 | goals3 = 0 | fieldgoals3 = 0 | points3 = 0 | club4 = {{nowrap|→ Salford RLFC}} | year4start = 2026{{small|(loan)}} | year4end = | appearances4 = 1 | tries4 = 0 | goals4 = 0 | fieldgoals4 = 1 | points4 = 1 | club5 = {{nowrap|→ Widnes Vikings {{small|(loan)}}}} | year5start = 2026 | year5end = | appearances5 = 2 | tries5 = 0 | goals5 = 7 | fieldgoals5 = 0 | points5 = 14 | new = yes | source = <ref>[https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/leon-hayes/summary.html Rugby League Project]</ref> | updated = {{date|{{REVISIONTIMESTAMP}}|DMY}} }}

'''Leon Hayes''' (born 4 March 2004) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|sh}} for Widnes Vikings in the RFL Championship, on a short-term loan from the Warrington Wolves in the Super League.

==Playing career== ===Warrington Wolves=== He has spent time on loan from Warrington at the West Wales Raiders in League 1 and at North Wales Crusaders in 2023<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Sep 2023 |title=Crusaders' coach Carl praises the impact of talented Hayes |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/23803027.crusaders-coach-carl-praises-impact-talented-hayes/ |access-date=24 Sep 2023 |website=Leader Live}}</ref>

In 2022 Hayes made his début for the Wire in the Super League against the Huddersfield Giants.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/62661403 Super League: Huddersfield Giants 38-36 Warrington Wolves - Matt Dufty scores four tries as Wire comeback falls short]</ref>

In 2024 Hayes made his breakthrough playing in Round 2 due to an injured George Williams, once Williams returned Hayes was favoured to play in the halves alongside him over Josh Drinkwater. He was selected every game following by new Head Coach Sam Burgess. Hayes played only two games for Warrington in the 2025 Super League season as they missed the playoffs finishing 8th on the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0gnqllpxlo|title=In pictures: Hull KR Challenge Cup victory parade|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

===Salford RLFC (loan)=== On 9 April 2026 it was reported that he had signed for Salford RLFC in the RFL Championship on short-term loan<ref>{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League|date=9 Apr 2026|author=Ben Olawumi|title=Leon Hayes among 7 Warrington Wolves youngsters to seal Championship loan deals|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/warrington-loans-09-04-2026}}</ref>

===Widnes Vikings (loan)=== On 16 April 2026 it was reported that he had signed for Widnes Vikings in the RFL Championship on loan<ref>{{cite web|website=Widnes Vikings RLFC|date=16 Apr 2026|accessdate=19 Apr 2026|title=Half-back Leon Hayes arrives on loan|url=https://widnesvikings.co.uk/vikings-sign-leon-hayes/}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== *[https://warringtonwolves.com/players/87a73fb0-1ef1-11ed-882d-3304d7b7806b Warrington Wolves profile] *[https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/20861158.profile-warrington-wolves-youngster-leon-hayes/ RISING STAR PROFILE - Profile on Warrington Wolves youngster Leon Hayes]

{{Widnes Vikings squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hayes, Leon}} Category:2004 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:English rugby league players Category:North Wales Crusaders players Category:Rugby league halfbacks Category:Rugby league players from Warrington Category:Salford RLFC players Category:South Wales Scorpions players Category:Warrington Wolves players Category:Widnes Vikings players