Hooker Rob Rawlinson to leave Leeds Carnegie

Rawlinson lifted the Powergen Cup with Leeds in 2005

Leeds Carnegie hooker Rob Rawlinson will leave the club at the end of the season, and may be forced to retire.

The 33-year-old has spent 11 years at Headingley but has missed most of 2010 recovering from a neck operation.

"I've mixed emotions," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "I've had a fantastic time here, made great friends and I never thought I'd leave.

"I currently have pins and needles in my left hand, so whether that improves will determine if I keep playing."

He added: "I certainly think I can still play in the Premiership, but it does just depend of this injury and if my body allows me to play at such a high level.

"I feel I have something to offer a club. You don't spend 17 years in the game without picking up a few things and being able to pass that on to younger generations.

"This season I've been working with the academy and passing on advice and tips to the young front-rowers here. Hopefully there will be something out there for me."

In his 11 years at Headingley, Rawlinson has experienced the pain of Premiership relegation, but also the joy of promotion, a Powergen cup final win and Heineken Cup rugby.

Wherever I am, I will always be looking out for Leeds' results.

Rob Rawlinson

"The cup final win over Bath obviously stands out for me," he said.

"Besides that, certain games that we've won from being underdogs stick out, like when we won on the final day of the season at Bath to stay in the Premiership and we were jumping around like mad men.

"Promotion under Stuart Lancaster also is important for me, because when we were relegated I remember sitting in a room and there were only seven players left here.

"So for him do get us promoted the next season was unbelievable."

Rawlinson will be at Headingley on Sunday as Leeds try to avoid defeat against Worcester and secure their Premeirship status for next season.

"I hope I can leave the club with them still in the Premiership. Just because I'm leaving there are no sour thoughts. I want this club to keep doing well.

"Wherever I am, I will always be looking out for Leeds' results."