Kevin Sinfield to switch codes

The 34-year-old former England skipper has led the Rhinos to six Super League titles, three World Club Challenges and one Challenge Cup success since making his debut for the club at the age of 16.

The Rhinos top the table after seven rounds of Super League XX but now face up to losing their two most inspirational players at the end of the campaign - Sinfield and Jamie Peacock, who last week confirmed he was taking up a management role at Hull KR.

Sinfield said: "This was one of the toughest decisions of my career but I know the time is right for me to finish my time in Rugby League and embark on a new challenge with Yorkshire Carnegie.

"I never wanted to play against the Rhinos and throughout my career I have always had an admiration for Rugby Union and wanted to challenge myself in that code. I am fortunate as a professional player in this era that opportunities like this exist for me and it is something I want to grab with both hands.

"Sir Ian McGeechan, the new board and owners of Yorkshire Carnegie have set out ambitious plans to gain promotion from the Greene King IPA Championship next season and regain their place in the Aviva Premiership and that is something that excites me.

"It is a new challenge for me and I know I will have a lot to learn however we spend a lot of time with the Carnegie players at our training ground at Kirkstall so that will help me settle in.

"My entire adult life has been spent at Leeds Rhinos and I am extremely grateful for all the support I have had over the past two decades. My goal now is to do whatever I can to make sure we have further success this year and finish the season and my Rhinos career on the best possible note."