Shaun Lunt returns to Leeds while Matt Parcell joins Hull KR

Drew Darbyshire

Hull KR hooker Shaun Lunt has returned to Leeds for the remainder of the season in a deal that will see Matt Parcell go the other way.

Lunt, 32, will move back to the Rhinos for the rest of the season but Parcell will join the Robins until the end of 2019.

Parcell, 26, was named in the 2017 Super League Dream Team as Leeds won the Super League Grand Final but the Australian has fallen out of favour in recent months.

Rhinos director of rugby, Kevin Sinfield, commented: “I would like to welcome Shaun back to the club.

“He is an outstanding professional who knows our club well. He had a huge impact on the squad during his first spell here and I know he was very keen to remain at the club at the time.

“Having met with Shaun this week, he is in great shape and ready to go this Sunday. The deal is initially until the end of this season but there is an opportunity for him to earn a contract for next season with his performances.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to wish Matt Parcell well for the future. He was a Grand Final winner with us in 2017 and leaves with our best wishes.

“This continues our work to renovate the squad for next season and allows us room to look at recruiting for this season and the future both in terms of the salary cap and the overseas quota.”

Hull KR head coach Tony Smith said: “I’m delighted to have Matt at the club.

“He’s a player that I have admired for some time. He’s got some abilities, and some areas that I think I can help him improve on.

“What he has got is something that we’re lacking a little bit at the moment and that’s depth in that dummy-half position. He can split teams up and we need to do that. I think he’ll do a fantastic job for us and he’ll slot in very well.

“Matt is looking forward to it and getting more game time. We can help him out with that and he can help us too.

“He’s a very proud player and he know he can play at that ‘Dream Team’ level. I think it’s really exciting times for all of us.”

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