Rugby League is currently played at 36 colleges and 52 universities by more than 2,500 registered players and the RFL and Student Rugby League believe the name change is necessary for the sport to continue to grow and maximise its potential.

RFL Director of Participation and Strategic Partnerships David Gent said: "This is an important step forward for the sport within the university and college sector.

“Sport England have invested heavily into university and college sport in recent years and the sectors continue to play a key role in the development of the wider game.

“We have made considerable progress in the last 18 months and are now in a position where we have clearly-defined offers for both university and college Rugby League. The re-naming of the board will allow us to have a strong presence within both sectors."

The launch of the new name coincides with new websites, individual social media pages and the re-naming of the representative programmes to ensure a joined up approach. The other changes are as follows:

England Colleges will become English College Lionhearts;

England Students (women) will become England Women Universities and Colleges;

England Students (men) will become England Universities

Each programme will have its own new website, Twitter handle and Facebook page from today as follows:

www.universityrl.co.uk and @UniversityRL and University Rugby League

www.collegerl.co.uk and @CollegeRL and College Rugby League