WARRINGTON Wolves’ upcoming trip to Headingley will be the last hurrah for a Leeds Rhinos and rugby league icon.

After Sunday’s Super League clash, legendary former half-back Kevin Sinfield will leave his role as the club’s director of rugby.

Sinfield is leaving the 13-man code altogether to join rugby union side Leicester Tigers as a defence coach.

“From the first day I arrived back at the club, I said my only aim was to leave the club in a better position than I found it in,” he said.

“Over the last three and half years we have worked tirelessly to reshape our squad under the constraints of the salary cap.

“We have rewarded our young talent, we have attracted quality players to the club and most importantly we have installed a culture that I am confident we will reap the rewards for in the years ahead.

“When I speak about Leeds Rhinos, it will always be ‘we and us’ that I refer to.

“Having spent virtually my entire adult life here, just because I will be doing a different day job does not mean that will ever change.

“We have got some exciting projects coming up in the city over the next few years that I will be part of and I will be back at Emerald Headingley whenever my commitments permit.

“Everyone at the club knows I am on the end of the phone and will offer my help and support whenever it is needed.

“I am confident this group of players can go on and achieve even more success for this great club both in the short and long term and I wish everyone all the best.”

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington added: “On behalf of everyone connected to Leeds Rhinos, I would like to thank Kevin for his outstanding service to the club especially since his return in the role as Director of Rugby.

“His record as a player is unsurpassed and some may have thought it was a risk for him to return however he answered the call and has steered us through an unprecedented tough period, both on and off the pitch, with great leadership.

“As we hopefully head towards a return to normality and with our squad being finalised for next season, after discussions with Kevin, we agreed that this was an opportune time for him to move on.

“We wish him all the best for his new challenge with Leicester Tigers and know that he will always be welcome back at Emerald Headingley.”