I would hardly call his resigning as "major". Good news for England though. Wonder who's been axed off the salary cap to resign him.

He should be England's No.1. He embarrassed himself at centre last year.

The words used by Leeds themselves. Some speculation suggesting it will coincide with the announcement of Buderus' early departure?

6 months seems to be a long time in rugby league!

I write this as a Leeds fan, knowing he has left Wasps and knowing that there is a press conference at Headingley tomorrow. So no other insight than that. All I will say are the following:

- Lee Smith is not a centre, never has been, and probably never will be. Any clubs' fans comparing him to their own centres completely miss the point. Even a currently off form and old Keith Senior would be way ahead of Smith in the Leeds side, even if Smith was definitely coming back to the Rhinos

- The talk of him "Regaining his fitness" after going to Union - as much as I dislike the game, and feel their players are nowhere near as fit as league players, do you honestly think that he will have become completely unconditioned in 6 months? He was playing league until November, probably had Christmas off, and then will have started playing union pretty much straight after. Will he have gone to London, started eating pies and stopped training? His absence from league (if he is coming back) will be the equivilant of a player getting injured in a boxing day friendly and being out for 3 months

- Lee Smith is a fullback. If it was up to me, he would be the Leeds full back instead of Brent Webb (who I admire greatly). He can kick, he has a nice turn of pace, and he knows his way to the line. He also manages to turn it on in massive games, which playing for Leeds, comes in handy. He has played a major part in a couple of Grand Final wins. He hasn't just won the man of the match "a few years ago"

I was gutted that Smith was going, not necessarily for what he has already achieved, but that I saw him as the Leeds full back for the next 5 years. He continuously performs at the highest level. If Wigan fans don't think he would improve their side then that is fair enough.

But come October, would you change your mind? Who knows.

However if Leeds re-sign Smith I will be over the moon. If Wigan have better backs than Lee Smith then we will see the result of it at the end of October.

he hasnt played league since October and will only play if staright in at the beginning of April thats 6 months, thats a long time

or..did he play for England?....either way a long time out

It was a strange one smith going to union..i was never convinced he was totally happy with his decision..you just needed to watch his interview after the GF

unlike Ashton,robinson i always thought he would be back sooner than later..but not after 7 months

Yeah, he basically said "whats done is done" and looked like if he could turn the clock back....

Even if he isn't signing for Leeds, I will be happy that he is coming back to RL (unless he is signing for Leeds Carnegie!!) and also, it makes tomorrows "major announcement" at Headingley even more suspicious!!!!

Wouldnt have him at Wigan. Does he offer more than Phelps? No Phelps can cover pretty much all the backs and hooker and is our first choice fullback. Is he better than Amos and Richards? No. Not to mention we have Ainscough and Charnley ready to break through. Gleeson and Carmont? No. Goulding? Yes he's a better player but would command a much higher wage and we cant really afford to keep him waiting on the sideline and just filling in for injurys in the way Goulding does, stay well away and let the other clubs fight over him themselves, personally I dont see what the fuss is all about.

Lee Smith is a good player but he isnt worth signing with the options we already have for full back.

You miss the point. The talk was about him not being fit enough to come to Wigan.

Most Wigan players, who had just finished a long, tough SL season, weren't fit enough as far as Michael Maguire, Shaun Wane and Mark Bitcon were concerned ... so how do you think they would view Lee Smith after his six-month jolly in RU?

Of course, if he's fit enough for Leeds, that's up to you men. Nothing to do with us.

He's average. He may become a decent enough full back given enough time in the position, but I'm not sure he'll ever get it.

He's probably better than Phelps (I know most on here won't agree with me), and is English rather than quota, but he'll cost more. Back to Leeds with Watkins out for the season IMO.

He's not good enough for Wigan but he's good enough for treble Champions Leeds?
Wigan are much better than Leeds so far this season FACT.

Yep fair do's. They are.

Its March by the way.