Leeds end contract of unused Thackray

The Super League champions Leeds Rhinos have agreed a parting of the ways with the former Great Britain prop Jamie Thackray.

Thackray, 28, joined the Rhinos in 2006 from Hull on a three-and-half-year contract but has not played for the first team this year and will leave the club with immediate effect. Thackray, who recently had a spell on loan with the National League Two club Doncaster, was a member of Leeds' championship-winning team in 2007 when he made 27 appearances.

"Hopefully, something will come up soon. All I want is to get back playing and prove to everyone I can still play," Thackray said. "I tried my best and never did anything wrong, but the new coach has come in and he didn't see me in his plans."

Leeds' chief executive, Gary Hetherington, said: "Unfortunately, things have not worked out for Jamie, but we wish him all the best for the future."

The coach Brian McClennan has recalled prop Kylie Leuluai for tomorrow's trip to St Helens. But the winger Lee Smith and second-rower Carl Ablett have both been ruled out with muscular strains.

Leuluai was concussed in last Thursday's win over Bradford but has passed a head test to clear him to return to action in the Grand Final rematch.

Youngster Ben Jones-Bishop has been drafted into the squad as cover. The 19-year-old full-back was a member of the Rhinos senior academy squad who reached the Grand Final last season and was recently promoted to the first-team squad.

The New Zealand Test prop Jason Cayless has been named in St Helens' initial squad and could make his first appearance since October's Grand Final after recovering from major knee surgery.