Leeds' second bid secures Millard

Millard is ruled out for the rest of this season following knee surgery, but will link up with Leeds in 2006 as a replacement for Andrew Dunemann, who is returning to Australia.

Wakefield have appointed Tony Smith as their new coach, after a successful spell as caretaker during which they won three of his five matches in charge.

Bradford have confirmed that the Great Britain three-quarter Leon Pryce is to leave them at the end of this season after failing to agree a new contract.

Pryce's departure, almost certainly to St Helens, will be the first of several, with Stuart Reardon expected to join Warrington next week and, most damaging of all, Jamie Peacock lined up by Leeds.

Peacock is likely to be named as the new Great Britain captain around the same time, replacing the injured Paul Sculthorpe. "It's come as a shock," Peacock said, "but if I get to captain my country it will be the proudest moment of my entire life."

The other realistic candidate for the job, Leeds' Kevin Sinfield, returns to action in this Saturday's home game against London Broncos after recovering from a broken hand. There is no place in the Rhinos squad for Ashley Gibson, who scored three tries and five goals in his debut at Leigh last week.