David Topliss' playing career started at Normanton Juniors ARLFC before spending 13 years with Wakefield Trinity from 1968–81, he played, i.e. number 2, and he made his début for Wakefield Trinity against Halifax at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Monday 2 September 1968, and won the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match in the 1979 Challenge Cup Final even though he was on the losing side. He joined Hull F.C. at age 31 for a fee of £15,000. He captained them to six finals in his four years at the club including when they won the Challenge Cup in 1982. He was captain of Hull during the 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85 seasons. Topliss played in the summer in Australia for Penrith Panthers and Balmain Tigers.
International honours
David Topliss won caps for England while at Wakefield Trinity in 1975 against France, Australia, and won caps for Great Britain while at Wakefield Trinity in 1973 against Australia, in 1979 against Australia, and while at Hull F.C. in 1982 against Australia. David Topliss was selected for Great Britain Squad while at Wakefield Trinity for the 1972 Rugby League World Cup in France. However, David Topliss did not participate in any of the four matches. He went on the 1973 and 1979 Ashes tours of Australia, playing twice on the 1973 tour, and once on the 1979 tour, and whilst at Hull he captained Great Britain against the Kangaroos in 1982. David Topliss played in Great Britain's 7–8 defeat by France in the friendly at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo, Venice on Saturday 31 July 1982. He left Hull in 1985 and finished his playing career with Oldham. During his time at the side he became synonymous with local supporters, earning the chant and slogan 'Go Topliss!'. At one game against Wrexham Topliss decided to remove his rugby shirt playfully in response to the chant, which resulted in him being banned from the game for 1 year
County honours
David Topliss won cap for Yorkshire while at Wakefield Trinity.
David Topliss played, was captain, and won the Lance Todd Trophy in Wakefield Trinity's 3–12 defeat by Widnes in the 1978–79 Challenge Cup Final during the 1978–79 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 5 May 1979, in front of a crowd of a crowd of 94,218. played in Hull F.C.'s 14-14 draw with Widnes in the 1981–82 Challenge Cup Final during the 1981–82 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1982, in front of a crowd of 92,147, and played, and scored 2-tries in the 18-9 victory over Widnes in the 1981–82 Challenge Cup Finalreplay during the 1981–82 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Wednesday 19 May 1982, in front of a crowd of 41,171.
David Topliss played in Wakefield Trinity's 2–7 defeat by Leeds in the 1973–74Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1973–74 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 20 October 1973, played in the 13–16 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1974–75 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1974–75 season at HeadingleyRugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 26 October 1974, played in Hull F.C.'s 18–7 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1982–83 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1982–83 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 2 October 1982, played in Hull F.C.'s 13–2 victory over Castleford in the 1983–84 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1983–84 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 15 October 1983, was an interchange/substitute, i.e. number 15, in Hull FC's 29–12 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1984–85 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1984–85 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 27 October 1984, and played in Oldham's 6–27 defeat by Wigan in the 1986–87Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1986–87 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 19 October 1986.
Player's No.6 Trophy Final appearances
David Topliss played, and scored a try in Wakefield Trinity's 11-22 defeat by Halifax in the 1971–72 Player's No.6 Trophy Final during the 1971–72 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 22 January 1972, and played, and was captain in Hull F.C.'s 0-12 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1984–85 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1984–85 season at Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull on Saturday 26 January 1985 in front of a crowd of 25,326.
Drop-goals (field-goals)
David Topliss appears to have scored twelve drop-goals for Wakefield Trinity, but prior to the 1974–75 season all goals, whether; conversions, penalties, or drop-goals, scored 2-points, consequently prior to this date drop-goals were often not explicitly documented.
David Topliss' Testimonial match at Wakefield Trinity took place in 1980.
Coaching career
Topliss coached Wakefield Trinity from 1987–94 and also had a spell in charge of Great Britain under-21s in 1989. In his first season with Trinity, he guided them to promotion back into the old First Division, retiring as a player after the last match of the season. He remained at Wakefield as coach until 1994 when he stepped down to concentrate on his business.
County Cup Final appearances
David Topliss was the coach in Wakefield Trinity's 8–11 defeat by Castleford in the 1990–91 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1990–91 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Sunday 23 September 1990, and was the coach in the 29–16 victory over Sheffield Eagles in the 1992–93 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1992–93 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Sunday 18 October 1992.
