English Premiership club Leeds have beaten competition from England and France to sign Parks on a one-year contract.

Parks, who has four caps for Wales, will be the clubs eighth new signing of the close season.

Leeds director of Rugby Phil Davies said: I am delighted to have secured the services of Richard.

He is a highly experienced, international quality player who will strengthen our squad considerably for the new season.

He has the respect of many of our players having played against us for Pontypridd a couple of seasons ago.

He gives us great options in our back row, as an expert number seven who can also play at six or eight.

Richard is an intelligent footballer and will be a quality acquisition for the club.

I know he is looking forward to joining up with us for pre-season, added Davies.

The Tykes have also confirmed that they will be making one more signing to complete their squad for the 2004-2005 season.