Rhinos swoop for Shaunt Lunt

Leeds have secured the services of Huddersfield hooker Shaunt Lunt for the rest of the season. The England international still has three-and-a-half years left on his Giants contract but has been unable to retain a regular first-team spot with the Super League leaders. The 25-year-old has been allowed to move to Headingley with immediate effect and Rhinos coach Brian McDermott was delighted to welcome him to the squad. "Shaun is a player we have monitored for a while and he will give us strength in depth in a number of positions in the forwards as we enter a tough period of the season," he said. "He has been a quality player for Huddersfield over a number of years appearing in the Challenge Cup Final and representing England, and I know he is excited about the challenge of coming to Leeds and showing what he can do at the highest level." Surprised Lunt knows he will not breeze into the matchday line-up at Leeds but is hungry for Super League action. "I turned 25 this week and I know I am at a stage in my career when I need to be playing regular first team rugby," he said. "I was surprised when Nathan Brown told me last week that Leeds had been in touch about coming here on loan. Normally when you go on loan it is not to another one of the top teams in the competition so I am really pleased to be joining the world champions. "My preferred position is hooker but I am happy playing in the back row as well, whatever the coaching staff want of me. "I have trained with the Rhinos and the players really made me feel welcome. I need to get my head down now and work hard to make the most of this opportunity."