Moments after announcing his imminent change of codes , Kevin Sinfield was asked if he had ever played a game of rugby union before . ‘ No , ’ he said , emphatically . There was a pause , as if the league icon was trying to fathom whether the question had been a joke , before he added : ‘ They don ’ t play much rugby union in Oldham. ’ That is undoubtedly true , but the current England fly-half , George Ford , also grew up in the Lancashire town , as did his Bath team-mate , Kyle Eastmond . Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield is to switch codes and join Yorkshire Carnegie at the end of the season . Sinfield ( centre ) lifts the Super League trophy after Leeds beat Warrington in the grand final in October 2012 . Now , at the age of 34 , Sinfield is aiming to follow those younger converts across the rugby divide , having opted to leave Leeds Rhinos at the end of their season , to join sister club Yorkshire Carnegie . The former England captain is a record-breaking legend in the 13-man game , but he wanted one last career challenge ; a late shot at union . ‘ It ’ s something that excites me and I ’ ve wanted to do for a long time , but I never thought that I would get the chance to do it , ’ he said , shortly after informing his Rhinos team-mates of his impending move . ‘ The club has set targets to get back to where it belongs in the Premiership and that is something I want to be part of . ‘ I didn ’ t want to get to the end of my career and look back with regrets about missed opportunities . So when this opportunity came up , my gut was telling me it was the right thing . Sinfield is tackled during a match between Leeds Rhinos and Leigh Centurions last year . Sinfield ( left ) in action for England against France during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup quarter-final . ‘ I ’ m very respectful of the game ( union ) and I like watching it . A lot of rugby league people look down on union and a lot of rugby union people look down on league , but I like both games . As a sportsman , the opportunity to play another professional sport really appeals to me. ’ Sinfield has no intention of making life easy for himself , when he tries to translate his enduring talents to union . Many of the converts who have fared best have been outside backs such as Jason Robinson , but his hope is to occupy the primary decision-making role . ‘ I ’ d very much like to play fly-half – that ’ s the position that would suit my skills-set the best , ’ he said . ‘ I understand the challenge that is in front of me ; the difficulties that rugby league players have faced coming over. ’ Sinfield and his Leeds team-mates celebrate after beating Melbourne Storm in the 2008 World Club Challenge . Sir Ian McGeechan was present for the announcement in Leeds , in his role as Yorkshire Carnegie ’ s executive president , and the man synonymous with the Lions appeared visibly elated about the Championship club ’ s recruitment of such a pedigree figure , on an 18-month deal . ‘ This is fantastic news , ’ he said . ‘ It is a great opportunity to get someone of Kevin ’ s quality , not just as a player but as a captain and someone who is an exceptional role model . ‘ There was a change of ownership at Yorkshire Carnegie at Christmas and the ambition is for Premiership rugby . To have Kevin involved is a great acquisition for us and a statement of intent . We ’ ve got a lot of young men willing to learn from a natural leader . I for one am very excited . ’
Kevin Sinfield has announced he is leaving Leeds at the end of the season . The 34-year-old will cross codes to join sister club Yorkshire Carnegie . Sinfield has won three Super League titles , six World Club Challenges and one Challenge Cup with the Rhinos .