Smith - no regrets

Smith: two tries at Old Trafford

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Lee Smith insists he has no regrets about drawing down the curtain on his rugby league career at the age of 23.

The Leeds and England centre, who is switching codes to join Wasps on a three-year contract, enjoyed a fairytale farewell with the Rhinos by scoring two of their three tries against St Helens as they completed an unprecedented engage Super League hat-trick of titles.

Smith has played and scored in all three Old Trafford triumphs, each of them in a different position, and admits it will be a wrench to leave the club after six successful years at Headingley.

But he is relishing the opportunity to link up with former Wigan and Great Britain legend Shaun Edwards at Wasps.

"Shaun Edwards and (director of rugby) Tony Hanks sent me good-luck texts before the game and I appreciated that," said Smith.

"They've been really good with me. I'll catch up with them later in the week and see what they want from me.

Legend

"I'm looking forward to working with Shaun. He's an absolute legend of this game and hopefully he can tip me up on being a legend over in that game.

"It's going to be tough leaving because I've made some friends for life. The friendship means a lot to me, as much as all the trophies.

"But I'm looking forward to going to rugby union. I made my decision and I think it's the right one.

"I'll have a few days to myself, grab a holiday and then start thinking about Wasps."

As for the Grand Final, Smith added: "To finish at Old Trafford and get a win is absolutely brilliant. It hasn't really sunk in yet.

"This ground has been brilliant to me. Much as I support Leeds United and they don't really like Man United, this place has been good to me and I'll miss playing here."

Available

But Smith may not have played his last game of league - he revealed that Wasps will not stand in his way if he is selected for Tony Smith's England side in the Gillette Four Nations series, which get under way later this month.

"I'll see what Tony thinks," said Smith. "It's up to him. I'm available for England. If he wants to pick me, I'm there. I'd wear the jersey with pride. Hopefully I will be in."