By Phil Harlow BBC Sport at Old Trafford

McDermott is a much calmer figure off the field than on it

Gareth Ellis says retiring Leeds prop Barrie McDermott has what it takes to become a leading rugby league coach.

McDermott, 33, will join the Rhinos coaching staff next season after deciding to end his playing career.

"Barrie is a real leader and has a great knowledge of the game," Leeds forward Ellis told BBC Sport.

"I think he has all the credentials to make it right to the top as a coach. It's been a pleasure to play with him and to be his team-mate."

Ellis, who has just completed his first season with Leeds, said he has seen another side of McDermott to the snarling hard-man image the Great Britain international portrays on the field.

"I found it a bit daunting when I came to Leeds but he was one of the players who went out of his way to make me feel at home," said Ellis.

For the majority of the season we were probably the best team but Bradford came good at the right time Leeds forward Gareth Ellis

"All the same, it's definitely nicer to play with him than against him, so I'm glad he's retiring rather than joining another Super League team."

McDermott is one of several players qutting the Leeds squad in the wake of their 15-6 defeat to Bradford in Saturday's Super League Grand Final.

Marcus Bai, Chris McKenna, Mark Calderwood and Andrew Dunemann are all leaving Headingley, but Ellis insisted the exodus did not affect the players' preparations for the Old Trafford game.

"It's something we spoke about before, but we didn't focus too much on it because we had a huge game coming up," he said.

"We can take it in now, enjoy each other's company and appreciate what a great season we've had. It happens in sport - players come and players go.

"We certainly didn't take our eye off the ball in the two weeks leading into the game - we trained just as hard as ever."

Ellis (left) has lost two of the three finals he has played this season

Since signing from Wakefield, Ellis has played in the World Club Challenge, the Challenge Cup final and the Grand Final.

The 24-year-old has suffered defeats in two of those three matches but said the disappointment would spur him and his team-mates on for next season.

"I'm obviously a bit down about the result," he said.

"I moved to Leeds to play in big games and I've played in every major final you can this season, but unfortunately I've been on the wrong side of the results in a couple of them.

"It's something to learn from and get better from. And I really think that the people and structures that are in place at Leeds mean there'll be plenty more opportunities.

"For the majority of the season we were playing really well and were probably the best team in the competition, but Bradford came good at the right time.

"It's the play-offs and they've timed it just right."