Leeds’ Kevin Sinfield to swap codes and end career with Yorkshire Carnegie

Kevin Sinfield admits calling time on his rugby league career was the toughest decision he has made but says the prospect of testing himself in rugby union was a challenge he simply could not ignore.

After a 19-year association with Leeds Rhinos, Sinfield will instead end his career in the 15-man code with second-tier side Yorkshire Carnegie, after the Rhinos announced he would take up an 18-month deal with their sister club at the end of the rugby league season.

The 34-year-old is the most successful captain in Leeds’ history and is also the club’s all-time top points scorer. It seemed certain Sinfield would end his career with the Rhinos but instead he will finish his illustrious career by swapping codes.

“I never thought I’d get the chance to do this and it’s a challenge that really excites me,” said Sinfield, a former England captain. “It’s been a tough decision and telling the players this morning that I was going to leave was very tough indeed.

“It seems the logical decision moving forward as I don’t have to uproot my family. I didn’t want to finish my career, look back and have any regrets and when this opportunity came up, I knew it was the right thing to do.”

For now, though, Sinfield insists his focus is on bringing down the curtain on his time with the Rhinos by achieving yet more success and adding to the 12 trophies he has captained the club to since being given that role in 2003. “This had to end at some stage but it doesn’t end yet. There are still seven months of the season left and I’m very committed, as always, to do my very best with this wonderful club.

“I’ll be giving Leeds Rhinos everything I’ve got in the seven months that are ahead of me and my focus is on getting back fit, fighting for my spot and hopefully we can add to the history we’ve created over the last 10 years.”

Meanwhile, the Rhinos’ chief executive, Gary Hetherington, has confirmed that an outcome into the club’s internal investigation over an off-field incident involving the full-back Zak Hardaker is expected in the next week.

Hardaker and his Leeds team-mate Elliot Minchella were released without charge by police earlier this month after an assault incident in the city but each agreed to pay £200 compensation to the victim after admitting the assault – before the Rhinos announced they would conduct their own internal enquiries.

“The investigation has taken longer than we’d hoped but it will be concluded in the next seven days and the outcome will be made public,” Hetherington said. “We’ve got very stringent codes of conduct at this club and when anyone falls foul of that it’s a huge disappointment for all concerned.”