Kevin Sinfield: Leeds Rhinos favourite confirms retirement after one season with Yorkshire Carnegie

Former long-serving Leeds Rhinos and England captain Kevin Sinfield has announced that he will retire from all forms of rugby at the end of the current season. The much-decorated 35-year-old, who finished second behind two-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray in the voting for last year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, switched codes to union back in November 2015 after claiming a host of silverware including seven Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenge trophies.

After winning the treble in his 19th and final league campaign, Sinfield remained at Headingley and completed his proposed move to sister club Yorkshire Carnegie. He has made 14 appearances for Bryan Redpath's side to date and his last act as a professional sportsman will be to try and achieve promotion to the Aviva Premiership, with a two-legged Championship play-off tie to come against the Doncaster Knights in May. Should they win, either Bedford Blues or Bristol will await in the final.

Addressing the decision to hang up his boots, Sinfield, who was handed an MBE in June 2014 for his services to rugby league, told Carnegie's official website: "I have been privileged and deeply honoured to have enjoyed a 20-year career as a professional rugby player and to retire, on my own terms rather than through injury, is something I feel lucky to be able to do.

"I have always said that some day I will need to get a proper job and that day has now come. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last seven months with Yorkshire Carnegie and I would like to thank the coaches, players and supporters for making me feel so welcome.

"I have always gave total commitment to every team I have ever played in and therefore I have decided to hang up my boots at the end of this season. A number of opportunities have become available to me for life after rugby and I need to make the right decision for me and my family. However, before then we have got hopefully four massive games ahead of us, starting this Sunday against a very good Doncaster side."