Sinfield made Leeds captain

Kevin Sinfield will be the youngest captain in Super League next season following his appointment by Leeds.

The 22-year-old stand-off or loose forward, who played in two of Great Britain's Test against New Zealand last month, takes over from Francis Cummins, who replaced Iestyn Harris 18 months ago.

"It has always been recognised that Kevin has all the attributes to be a great captain and we now feel that the time is right," said his coach, Daryl Powell.

St Helens' Paul Sculthorpe has added another award to his end-of-season honours by beating David Beckham and Darren Campbell to be named BBC North-West Sportsman of the Year. His team-mate, Sean Long, is close to agreeing a new, long-term contract.

Featherstone have defended selling their promising scrum-half, Jamie Rooney, to Wakefield Trinity for £10,000. At 22, he was subject to a transfer fee, but told the club he was determined to move. The Wakefield coach, Shane McNally, said that he was an important long-term acquisition.

The Wigan winger, Brian Carney, is the latest target for the Irish Rugby Union, who have already sounded out Gary Connolly, now that he has wound up his league career to play union for Orrell. Unlike him, Carney is Irish-born and he too could be tempted to try for a place in the squad for next year's World Cup.