Writing was on the wall when he wasn't part of the England set up.

Its' a shame. I'd have actually much rather he went to another Rl club where he could be 1st choice full back or winger. That would have been better for English RL.

As for us, we've lost a good utility back that's all.

He's not our best full back, he's now our 3rd best winger and he was only ever an experiment at centre.

If he ends up in union (which is almost 100%) it's a waste imo.
Fair enough he wants to earn as much as possible but i honestly don't see him making the grade for england RU there are plenty of players in front of him across all the back positions so he'll be playing club rugby only.
All the best smithy hopefully we will replace him with someone better.

gutted! Smithy was awesome hope hes not off to RU!

It is a shame he's leaving RL and going to RU. He might be back in a couple of years though.

Thats another good young back gone to the otherside then

Even though its the worst kept secret ever im still gutted

Good luck Smithy lad

Have to wish him the best of luck, he's a top player and seems a decent lad aswel.

The question for the Rhinos now is where do they go? Surely they need to get the chequebook out this time.

All he's done is not been able to agree to a new contract within the deadline he had set himself and the club to do so.

Wouldn't say that makes him certain to be doing anything in particular, and wouldn't be that suprised to still see him re-sign.

Told you all a long time ago about him leaving so was really expected from my point of view



Paves the way for Ryan Atkins, Michael Shenton or Jamie Lyon

Told you.

His leaving frees up space for someone else... but we have to open the bank now and get someone in imo.. Ryan Atkins, Michael Shenton or Jamie Lyon.

In true Hetherington style does anyone think there will be any announcement on a 'replacement' to put a positive spin on it soon? Or was the Coady announcement it?

Pity. He's a great talent, but at the end of the day he's won Grand Finals at enior and (I think?) Academy level in his time here, and been MOTM in one of the senior finals. He's represented his country in a World Cup. We show no signs of offering the chance of a winners medal at that level, so he's done about all that is on offer to him. I would have liked him to stay, but he goes with my best wishes*. I hope it works out for him.



* That'll make all the difference to him, he can sleep easy now.

Lee Smith at Leeds

SL Reg Rds: Played 66 + 5, Tries 32, Goals 10, Points 148
SL Play Offs: Played 6 + 0, Tries 5, Goals 0, Points 20
Challenge Cup: Played 9 + 0, Tries 5, Goals 0, Points 20
WCC: Played 2 + 0, Tries 0, Goals 0, Points 0

Total: Played 83 + 5, Tries 42, Goals 10, Points 188

Quality press release by Leeds:

“I have, and still do, really enjoyed my time at the Rhinos..."

"However, by the end of the this season...."

He says he want a new challenge and hes only 22, it's been said Wasps are going to sign him I hope he doesn't turn out like Chris Ashton and fade away in rugby union.

Funny how these players who go to Union don't seem to want the "challenge" of winning ANYTHING with GB/England at RL. Maybe it's too difficult a challenge.

Good luck to him though, good player and hope we see him back in RL one day. Unlike Chris Ashton, who came across as a bit of a tool.

Exactaly.

Chris Ashton was a fool, Smith has shown respect to the club who gave him the opportunity and hasn't gone of to the clubs hes signing for wearing their kit in the middle of the season.

Yet!

As has been widely speculated on, Wasps appear to want him for their pre-season training, so there's still time.

Gutted. So much promise and so much delivered already. Think his style would suit Yawnion though. Hope it doesn't thus coming back to RL whether thats with Leeds or not it doesn't matter. GH and Bluey now need to win the fans over with a big coup or things will begin to get stale at HQ.

Especially if he gets released mid-season. If he does the whole Smith to centre solution will have been a big waste of time

But Smith did challenge himself with England in the WC and like the rest of us realises that at 22 he can't wait another 50 years to win something with England RL.

Shame that he got injured in that world cup. However whilst he was injured England played like a bag of poop. So Smith can’t rely on that lot to win the next world cup or even this next four nations. Saying that it wouldn’t surprise me if he moved to Australia.

If he goes mid-season which I don't think he will that'll be season over IMO. People are ear marking Watkins to step in but IMO he should be taking over Donald on the wing for a while as Scotty form is unacceptable.