Tuesday 31 March 2015 15:22, UK
Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield is to leave the club at the end of the season and cross codes to join Yorkshire Carnegie on an 18-month contract.
Sinfield is close to becoming only the fourth player in Rhinos' history to play 500 games for the club and is the all-time leading points scorer in the club's history.
The 34-year-old is also currently fourth in the all-time list of rugby league points scorers and has led the Rhinos to six Super League titles so far having been made captain in 2003 when he was just 22.
He has made 26 appearances for England, including captaining his country at the 2013 World Cup, and has played 14 times for Great Britain.
"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," said Sinfield.
"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."
I never wanted to play against the Rhinos and, throughout my career, I have always had an admiration for rugby union.
Sinfield added: "Sir Ian McGeechan, the new board and owners of Yorkshire Carnegie have set out ambitious plans to gain promotion from the Championship next season 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 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."
