Chris Bell joined Leeds Tykes on a two-year contract from NEC Harlequins at the end of the 2003-2004 season. An impressive centre, Bell burst onto the scene with Quins but had been watched for several seasons by Phil Davies as he progressed through the lower levels with England and the Tykes coach was delighted to have captured him for the 2004-2005 season.

He made his debut in the opening game of the season against Gloucester and went on to be one of the top performers in his debut season. His first try came against Sale Sharks when Albanese set up Bell in the second half to score the Tykes only try of the game.

Another of his crucial tries came in the Powergen Cup semi final, when he opened the scoring for the Tykes with a first half try to take Leeds to their first Twickenham final. In the final he was once against a hero, putting in an heroic display by scoring a try to help the Tykes win the Powergen Cup for the first time in their history.

Injury kept Chris out for the start of the 2005-06 season but he returned to make 11 appearances and scored two tries. He left at the end of that season, following the Tykes relegation from the Premiership. In total he made 31 appearances for the club and scored 8 tries.

Chris Bell joined Leeds Tykes on a two-year contract from NEC Harlequins at the end of the 2003-2004 season. Bell was part of the England U21 Grand Slam winning team in 2004, playing in all five matches and scoring crucial tries against Ireland and France to secure the first ever clean sweep at that level for England.

He followed this up with a crucial role in the England U21 squad in the World Championship's held in Scotland, making a try scoring appearance as captain against Argentina and also crossing against Wales. In the Summer of 2005 Chris travelled to Canada to the Churchill Cup and played a key role in Joe Lydon's side's success.

Having made his debut for Quins in 2001, Bell went on to make a further 28 appearances in the Zurich Premiership despite missing large periods of the 2002-2003 season through injury. He played in all three games against Leeds in the 2003-04 season for Quins and scored a try in the win at Headingley in the Zurich Premiership.

Bell has represented England at Under 16, Under 18, Under 19 and Under 21 level and scored three tries in the recent Grand Slam winning campaign in five appearances. He was Harlequins Young Player of the Year in the 2001-2002 season having joined them from his native Plymouth where he played for his school Ivybridge College, the school which also produced Tykes team mate Stuart Hooper, and Plymouth Albion.

If he had not become a professional rugby player Chris thinks he may have become either an estate agent or a chef and his favourite food is steak and chips. His other interests include pool, cinema, cricket and athletics and his childhood hero was dual code rugby star Gary Connolly.