Smith buoyed by Edwards backing

Lee Smith received a good-luck message from Wasps coach Shaun Edwards before going out to produce his Grand-Final heroics for Leeds in their 18-10 victory over St Helens.

The 23-year-old England centre, who is joining Wasps on a three-year contract, enjoyed a fairytale farewell with the Rhinos by scoring two of their three tries as they completed an unprecedented engage Super League hat-trick of titles, all of them at the expense of arch rivals St Helens.

"Shaun Edwards and 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."

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.

However, he insists there are no regrets over his decision to switch codes and he is looking forward to linking up with former Wigan and Great Britain legend Edwards and Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks.

He added: "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."