Scott Donald to call time on career

Scott Donald, the Leeds Rhinos winger, will retire at the end of the season and return home to Australia to pursue a career outside rugby. The 30-year-old, who has scored 90 tries in 143 appearances since joining the Rhinos from the Manly Sea Eagles in 2006, had a year left on his contract but the club have agreed to release him. "The discussions have only come about in the last few weeks," Donald said. "A work opportunity has become available for me back home in Australia. It is something that I have had to think long and hard about but I also have to consider my young family.

"My son is just about to start school and they have had to sacrifice a lot to help me with my rugby career here at the Rhinos and it is time that I looked at other options back home." Brian McClennan, the Leeds coach, said: "Having spoken to Scott over the past few weeks we fully understand his reasons for wanting to return home and make the most of any opportunity for a career after rugby. "Scott has been an outstanding servant for Leeds Rhinos throughout his time at the club, looking after himself as an excellent professional which is demonstrated by his incredible record of fitness over the past four years."

* Agencies