Paul's code-hopping continues
Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:39
Henry Paul is to cross codes once again after it was announced on Wednesday he would be joining relegated Guinness Premiership Rugby Union side Leeds Carnegie next season.
The 34-year-old Paul will leave Harlequins Rugby League club when the London club's participation in this season's Super League ends, to join Leeds - who will be playing in the second-tier National League One - on a two-year deal.
Paul, a dual international having won 24 Rugby League caps for New Zealand and six in the backs for England at Rugby Union, will be making his third switch between the two codes.
"A couple of things aren't finished for me," said Paul at a news conference on Wednesday.
"I would love to bring a team back into the Premiership, so that is a massive goal.
"This will be my last contract, I had a great run with the national set-up in my previous spell, I thoroughly loved playing sevens but I didn't leave rugby union where I wanted to.
"I think I have been playing consistently over the last few seasons and I just want to continue that.
"My job in the team will be to let loose a few other players and tackle my guts out."
Paul began his League career in England 15 years ago at Wakefield, barely 12 miles from Leeds's Headingley home in Yorkshire, and now the hope at Leeds is that he will end his career in the centres.
"Players of his quality and experience rarely become available and his signing is great news for our club," said Leeds's Director of Rugby, Stuart Lancaster.
"Henry has played at the highest level consistently in both codes and his experience will be invaluable, especially with the exciting crop of youngsters we have coming into the first team."
* Meanwhile Leeds released 14 members from their squad after their relegation from the Guinness Premiership was confirmed at the weekend.
The players, including Argentina World Cup flank Martin Schusterman, will leave Headingley at the end of the current campaign.
But the club have agreed new contracts with two of their current squad.
Leigh Hinton and Jonny Hepworth have both agreed new deals as Leeds look for an immediate return to the top flight.
Hinton, 29, has featured in every Guinness Premiership game for the club this season and was the top points scorer in National Division One last season. He has agreed a new one-year deal with the club.
Hepworth returned to Headingley Carnegie last season having originally come through the academy structure at sister club Leeds Rhinos.
The 25-year-old has missed the last four games with a knee injury but is set to return in the penultimate game of the season at London Irish. He has agreed a new two-year deal.
The players leaving Headingley at the end of the season are Mark Lock, Darren Edwards, Colin Noon, Pablo Bouza, Martin Schusterman, John Holtby, Mike Aspinall, Tom Rock, James Parkes, Andy Rock, Richard Vasey, Tom Whittaker, Max Lewis and Michael Cusack.
Of those Edwards, Noon and Bouza are retiring from rugby.
