Leeds Rhinos director of rugby Kevin Sinfield has confirmed that Trent Merrin will return to the Rhinos.

Merrin, 30, who joined Leeds Rhinos ahead of the 2019 season on a four-year deal from NRL side Penrith Panthers, made 28 starts for the club and was named captain in June.

At the end of the campaign the Rhinos confirmed they had granted the Australian forward permission to try source a deal with a club in Australia on compassionate grounds, but today Sinfield announced that Merrin would return to the UK at the beginning of November.

Sinfield said: “During last season Trent had to return home to Australia for some personal family reasons and given those issues at the end of the season we gave him the opportunity to look to see if he could source a deal with a club closer to home. He had our full support in doing this, but we knew there was also a strong part of him that wanted to come back.

“I spoke with him this morning and he confirmed that he would be returning to the Rhinos and we are delighted about the news and he will be back for the start of pre-season at the beginning of November.

“His performances on the field were outstanding for us last season. He is looking forward to getting back and is raring to go again.”