Mikołaj Olędzki
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| Full name | Mikołaj Olędzki | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 8 November 1998 Gdańsk, Poland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 17 st 9 lb (112 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Prop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 8 November 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mikołaj Olędzki (born 8 November 1998) is Polish rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League and the England national rugby league team (qualifying via residency).[3]
In his early career, Olędzki spent time on loan from Leeds at Bradford Bulls and Featherstone Rovers in the Championship.
Background
Olędzki was born in Gdańsk. He then moved to the UK when he was nine years old. Olędzki's family settled initially in Corby, Northamptonshire. He then began to excel at swimming, appearing for Northamptonshire's county team from a young age. But when they moved closer to his uncle in Leeds, he discovered rugby league.[4]
Olędzki is the second Polish-born player in the Super League, following Grzegorz Kacała in 1996.[4]
Playing career
Leeds Rhinos
In 2017, he made his début for Leeds against Doncaster in the fifth round of the Challenge Cup, scoring a try in the 63rd minute of a 64–28 win. On 17 October 2020, he played in the 2020 Challenge Cup Final victory for Leeds over Salford at Wembley Stadium.[5] He played a total of 15 games for Leeds in the 2021 Super League season including the club's 36–8 loss against St Helens in the semi-final.[6]
On 24 September 2022, he played for Leeds in their 24-12 loss to St Helens RFC in the 2022 Super League Grand Final.[7] Oledzki was named in the 2022 Betfred Super League Dream Team at prop Olędzki played a total of 21 games for Leeds in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished 8th on the table and missed the playoffs.[8] Olędzki played 21 matches for Leeds in the 2024 Super League which saw the club finish 8th on the table.[9] Olędzki played 22 games for Leeds in the 2025 Super League season as the club finished 4th on the table. He played in the clubs elimination playoff loss against St Helens.[10]
Bradford Bulls
He joined Bradford on a loan deal in February 2017. He made 20 appearances for the club[11] and scored in the 30–16 win over Swinton Lions.[12]
Featherstone Rovers
While on a dual-registration Olędzki has played for Featherstone Rovers during the season 2017, and 2018.[citation needed]
International career
In July 2018, he was selected in the England Knights Performance squad.[13] Later that year he was selected for the England Knights on their tour of Papua New Guinea. He played against Papua New Guinea at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.[14]
In 2019, he was selected for the England Knights against Jamaica at Headingley Rugby Stadium.[15]
In October 2021, he made his Test debut for England against France.[16] He was named in England's World Cup squad.[17]
Personal life
He attended Mount St. Mary's Catholic High School in Leeds between 2010 and 2015. He studied at Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form in Leeds and won their 'Sports Person of the Year Award' for his efforts in the sport of Rugby League with the Leeds Rhinos.[citation needed]
In January 2018, Olędzki announced via Instagram that he and his partner are expecting their first child.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Mlkolaj Oledzki – Career Stats & Summary – Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
- ^ "Player Summary: Mikołaj Olędzki". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ "England Knights v Jamaica". WWOS. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
- ^ a b Bower, Aaron (29 January 2018). "Mikolaj Oledzki: 'A rugby league player from Poland? This isn't really heard of'". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ "Leeds beat Salford 17-16 after Luke Gale lands late winning drop-goal". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Super League semi-final: St Helens beat Leeds to reach Grand Final – as it happened". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Bower, Aaron (24 September 2022). "St Helens sink Leeds to win record fourth consecutive Grand Final". The Observer.
- ^ "Leeds Rhinos' 2023 season review: picking out the best and worst players, performances, results". www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk.
- ^ "Leeds Rhinos player ratings from the 2024 Super League season". www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk.
- ^ "Saints snatch stunning play-off victory at Leeds". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Bradford Bulls former rugby league players make England squad". Telegraph & Argus. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ "Kingstone Press Championship Shield Round-up". RFL. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ "Ten new additions in England Knights squad". loverugbyleague. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea vs England Knights". WWOS. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ^ "England Knights vs Jamaica". WWOS. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ^ "England debutants proud to be part of rugby league's multicultural heritage". The Guardian. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ "Wane Names England World Cup Squad". Leeds Rhinos. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.