The club was established for post-university graduates in London who wished to continue playing competitive rugby league, with several former international student players among its members.

Initially, the team played at Hackney RFC and quickly expanded its player base to include London-based antipodeans and local rugby enthusiasts.

In 1997, the club changed its name to London Skolars, partly to humorously reference its academic origins but primarily due to a potential sponsorship from Skol Lager.

Later that year, the Skolars joined the National Conference League, becoming the only club south of Sheffield in the competition for four consecutive seasons.

[5] Benson left at the end of the 2008 season due to the logistical challenges of traveling from his home in Leigh, Greater Manchester[1].

James Massara, a Hammersmith-born 32-year-old, was named head coach in 2010, followed by the appointment of former Harlequins RL layer Joe Mbu in October 2010.

Following a heavy defeat by Swinton Lions in the Challenge Cup early in the 2015 season, Mbu was released from his contract on 9 March.