Former Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity ace Gareth Ellis joins Hull FC coaching staff after announcing playing retirement

Ellis, 39, confirmed he has retired as a player and will take up a roll on Hull’s coaching staff next season.

The back-rower began his career at Wakefield, making more than 100 appearances before joining Rhinos in 2005.

A World Club Challenge winner on his debut, he played in Leeds’ 2008 and 2009 Super League Grand Final victories and then moved to Australia to join NRL outfit Wests Tigers.

He picked up a hat-trick of club player of the year awards during his three-year stay and was twice a Challenge Cup winner, as captain, following his return to England with Hull.

Ellis, who was included in the Super League Dream Team five times, initially retired at the end of 2017, but made a comeback in 2019.

He finished his career on 477 appearances, including 33 international caps for England and Great Britain and 88 tries.

“Now the dust has settled on our season, it seems the right time to officially confirm my second retirement,” Ellis said.

“Whereas the decision to retire at the end of the 2017 season was very difficult and one I wrestled with for some time, as you can imagine this time around it was much more straight forward and something I have alluded to throughout this year's campaign.

“With a young family and the advice of the people around me; my dad, staff at the club and coaches, I decided it was time to hang up the boots for a second time while continuing to train and focus on helping the team improve for the rest of the season.”

He continued, “I'm really grateful for the opportunity to come out of retirement - it feels like a more natural end to a 21-year career and a decision I'm much more content with this time around.

“The players kept me young and it was great to be back in the dressing room among the lads - something any retired player will tell you they miss the most.

“Having had the opportunity to experience life as a player for the past 18 months, I feel much better prepared for life after rugby.

“So many people have contributed to my career over the years, too many to thank individually, but I am extremely grateful for everyone’s support and very proud to have played for some great clubs, to represent my nation and to make so many good memories along the way."

Of his next step, Ellis said: “The plan is now to pick up from where I left off in 2018 and take up a coaching role at the club which is something I'm really looking forward to.

“I'll be trying to use my own experience as well as the little nuggets of advice given to me throughout my career that made the biggest impact on how I trained and played in order to be the best I could be.”

Hull chief executive James Clark said: “I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone associated with our sport in thanking Gareth for his fantastic contribution to the game of rugby league, on and off the field, over such a long and influential period.

“Gareth has been the consummate professional throughout many years playing at the highest level for both club and country and has always carried himself with the utmost modesty, respect and credibility - which is a real sign of the man.

“He has achieved so much personal and team success over the last two decades, but probably more special, he has left a notable legacy and imprint on every club he has played at, which is why he is held in the highest esteem by so many people from across the game.”