Leeds Rhinos became the first rugby team to use Twitter handles on their shirts instead of their player’s names on Friday night.

The club used the Twitter handles during their Super League match with Hull FC which was broadcast live on Sky Sports.

The current Super League champions have more than 18,000 Twitter followers with Leeds players Rob Burrow and former England captain Jamie Peacock both having more than that.

The club’s media and PR manager Phil Daly said: “We are always looking for ways to innovate and spread the word about Leeds Rhinos. With over 500 million users on Twitter worldwide it is massive around the globe and a tremendous vehicle for us to grow our brand.”

Ryan Bailey will not be allowed to use his Twitter handle, @Hayemaker16, after the RFL banned the former Great Britain prop from using it as it may promote violence.  In addition to this, the Rhinos offered all fans the chance to get the player’s Twitter handle or their own Twitter handle on the reverse of their Leeds Rhinos shirts.

Although Twitter handles have appeared on sports teams shirts before it is thought to be the first time a professional rugby team have used this innovative promotional tool.

The full list of players on Twitter is as follows: