Matt Parcell arrives from Leeds Rhinos as Shaun Lunt departs Rovers

Hull Kingston Rovers are delighted to announce the arrival of Matt Parcell on loan until the end of the 2019 campaign.

The hooker, 26, has spent the last two-and-a-half years with Leeds Rhinos and comes to KCOM Craven Park for the remainder of the year.

Starting his career with NRL outfit Brisbane Broncos, Parcell then moved to Manly Sea Eagles before switching to the Betfred Super League in 2017.

With 31 tries in 79 Rhinos appearances, Grand Final winner Parcell, who will wear number 39 and will be sponsored by P&D Engineering, provides a healthy strike-rate from dummy-half and was named as part of the 2017 Super League Dream Team.

Robins head coach Tony Smith told Hull KR TV: “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.

“The hooker role is highly crucial – it’s the first person to get their hands on the ball. If they make good decisions, passes and runs, it changes the whole way you play. We haven’t had too many specialists in that position in recent times so that will give us a real boost.

“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.”

Leaving the Robins, in the opposite direction, is hooker and former captain Shaun Lunt. The 32-year-old has struggled for consistent game-time in 2019, restricted to just seven appearances.

Lunt, who signed for Rovers in mid-2015, accrued 92 run-outs for the Robins but will move back to his former club, whom he won the 2012 Grand Final with.