Kyle Eastmond: This is perfect time and place for me to come back

Kyle Eastmond believes now is the “perfect” time for him to return to rugby league and that Leeds is the “perfect” place to make his comeback.

The 31-year-old has returned to rugby league with Leeds on a two-year contract after spending almost a decade in rugby union with Bath, Wasps and Leicester Tigers.

Eastmond switched codes in 2011 after 74 games for St Helens, where he played alongside current Rhinos assistant Sean Long.

On his move to Leeds, Eastmond said: “It happened quite quickly to be fair. I had a few conversations with Kev (Sinfield) and Rich (Agar) and literally a week later I’m here so I’m over the moon and I’m looking forward to it.

“Within a few conversations, I knew the infrastructure and the people and the staff that it is the right place for me to come back to so I’m over the moon.

“There were a few occasions (in the past) where I gave it some serious thought (about returning to league) but I think now’s the right time, just like it was the right time to move on and go all them years ago.

“I think this is the perfect time and the perfect place for me to come back.”

Eastmond is relishing the challenge of playing rugby league again, with the half-back winning four caps for England in his first stint in the 13-man code.

He said: “I think it is a challenge which is what I like. It will be tricky but I’ve got that understanding because I’ve done this before.

“I’ll just come in here now and work as hard as I can with the coaches and the players and hopefully I’m in a good place pretty soon.

“I’ve kept an eye on what’s been going on over the years. Miss it? That’s not the word really, I’m a focused person on what I’m doing and whilst I was playing rugby union I was fully focused on trying to achieve my goals, so I was never looking back or outside of what I was doing but I can say I’m excited and I can’t wait to get going and see where we can go.

“I’m not looking back wondering if there’s some unfinished business. It is more about me helping this team and this club achieve what it should be so that’s what I’m focused on.

“I’ve achieved a decent standard in this game before so I’m not worried about if I can or can’t do it. The question is time and I’ll do it. I’ll put the work in and I’ll do it.”

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