I think its a bit sad that he's going to union, although he's far closer to the end of his career in any sport than most who have left.

I've said before that the decline in athletic capability accelerates at some stage through the 30s. Maybe he's simply realised after starting the season that this is his last shot at SL? If so the good news is he won't be in and around the squad for a year too long.

If anything its probably extended McGuire's career as a decision would have to be made about halfbacks at some stage soon. Sinfield has made that easier, and I have no problem with Sutcliffe being given a chance for next year. I Burrow probably does need to decide how he wants to end his career - sub at Leeds or halfback elsewhere.

Salary cap wise its hard to see that there won't be space for one big signing. Sutcliffe and Singleton are probably the only two players looking at significant upgrades, and I doubt very much that even after an upgrade Singleton would be on as much as JP.

Anyway, regardless of the views of fans from other clubs, he'll always be a Leeds legend. Third highest point scorer in the history of the game plus capataining the side to (at least) 6 GF wins and a CC, and captaining his country is a hell of a legacy.

Not once but twice he kicked last minute /extra time pens to beat Cas and neither time did he celebrate, showed utter class relative to the situation. Shame hes going to union but wish him well and hope he returns to league one day.

Seems an odd way to end his glittering career with us. But I guess he's earned the right to do pretty much what he wants in terms of how he chooses to bow out.

It will take a couple of seasons before our fans realise just how significant a player he really was for us.

Good luck Sinny - end of an era

The cynic in me believes going to Union is more of a 'golden handshake' from Leeds - a chance to reward his loyalty and move him on in a way that doesn't cost the club on the salary cap, but also ensures he's 'still around' to mentor the youngsters.
It's been clear for the past 12 months he was struggling to maintain his high standards, and I'm sure he's discussed that with the club - moving to Carnegie suits all parties, allowing the club to move on with plenty of time and salary cap to play with, and ensuring Sinfield is rightfully rewarded.

Well managed all round.

I doubt there is anybody who doesn't realise just how significant a player he has been for us.

What they will notice more is how not so significant some others were, had they not had Sinfield around them.

Both peacocks and sinfields departure have worked out well for the club, if peacock cuts the mustard at HKR he can return to a similar role with the rhinos.
Sinfields departure to union ( money for old rope) means he is still around the place to return as assistant coach to bmd with a veiw to becoming head coach.
An added bonus should be freeing up of some salary cap money. Unfortunately nothing stays the same in sport, teams evolve, sometimes for the better sometimes for the worse.
We have all been privileged to have seen a special player and a splendid captain. I am absolutely certain we will see sinfield back in the rhinos set up at some future date,

It seems that GH and Caddick want to give the RU side another push to establish themselves in the Premiership, particularly after the rebranding of the club as Yorkshire Carnegie, possibly having seen how Exeter have managed to establish themselves in the top flight.

Recruiting the experience of McGeechan and Sinfield will be a fundamental part of that development.

Especially if the RU premiership consists of 14 clubs with no promotion/relegation as is strongly rumoured.
If that happens it will be a travesty for a so-called national competition if there are only 2 clubs covering the entire country north of Leicester - Sale & Newcastle.
So every chance that YC, as shareholders still in the premiership, will get a spot at the top table with the opportunity to grow, secure in a longer term future.

I thought Caddick no longer owned anything of the RU side? and that McGeechan actually did own part?

The union side is still owned by Leeds Rugby limited which own both Carnegie and the Rhinos. I assumed Caddick still owned majority of shares in LRL but I could be wrong.

I thought Leeds Rugby no longer owned the Union side? they just have a licence and tenancy agreement with them. New management companies owns the Union?

Maybe I just misread previously, but sure that was what it said.

Just spotted this on the Sinfield announcement.

Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Union club play in the second tier of English club rugby, the Greene King IPA Championship. They are currently sixth in the table, six points off a play off place with three games, and a maximum of fifteen points, to play for. Ownership of the former club Leeds Carnegie was transferred from Leeds CF&A Co Ltd, to a group of new owners on 23rd December 2014, called Yorkshire Tykes Ltd. That company now wholly owns Yorkshire Carnegie and has a ten year service agreement with Leeds CF&A Co Ltd for the use of Headingley Carnegie Stadium, the Leeds Rugby Academy at Kirkstall and certain management services such as retail, ticketing, marketing, medical and commercial revenue generation.

So I think I am correct about Leeds Rugby not owning, and pretty sure Caddick wasn't part of the Yorkshire Tykes Ltd, but Hetherington was.

Its April 1st

Listening to Sinfield saying he hopes to be involved at some point over Easter it looks like he may not be playing Good Friday.I wonder if he's only going be played occasionally for rest of season

He has been playing below his high standards and TBH I thought it was down to fitness. Judging by this horrible weight he's been carrying around with him, knowing he is in his final year at Leeds has probably done him no favours either.

As Peacock mentions in his book a la the Bulls 2005, now that futures are sorted and the decks have been cleared, it really is time to push on and send these two legends out with a bang and as much silverwear as they can carry.