Donald quits Leeds to return home

(GETTY IMAGES)

Scott Donald has announced that he is to retire at the end of the season. The winger has been a prolific try-scorer for Leeds, with 90 in his 142 appearances, and was under contract for next season.

The club has agreed to release him, however, so that he can go home to take up a job offer in Queensland.

"A work opportunity has become available for me back home in Australia, which is outside of rugby," he said. "It's something I've had to think long and hard about."

Donald is 30 and was left out of the Rhinos' Challenge Cup semi-final team in favour of Lee Smith. He is in the squad for tonight's match against the Catalan Dragons and will be hoping to stake a Wembley claim.

The Catalans have released their winger, Dimitri Pelo, after agreeing compensation with the Montpellier rugby union club.

Hull, who play Warrington tonight, could lose two of their most experienced forwards, Ewan Dowes and Lee Radford, who are rumoured to be disappointed with the terms they have been offered for next season.

The Wigan coach, Michael Maguire, has given the strongest hint yet that he is planning to give Josh Charnley his debut on Sunday at Hull KR. "If the opportunity comes, I know he'll definitely take it," he said.