McCarthy to play in NRL with Dragons from 2016

Tyrone McCarthy will leave Hull KR at the end of the season to take up a two-year contract with St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL.

The 27-year-old Ireland international played for Northern Pride in Queensland last year and acknowledged the challenge of testing himself at the highest level in Australia was one he could not turn down.

McCarthy, who has exercised a clause in his contract enabling him to move to the NRL, told Hull KR's official website: "It's been a tough decision to make as I've really enjoyed playing for the club this season.

"Captaining such a proud and historic club like Hull KR in the Challenge Cup Final was one of the highlights of my career so far despite the result and I would have been very happy to stay at the club.

"It's always been one of my ambitions to play in the NRL, though, and joining St George for next season was an opportunity that in the end I couldn't afford to turn down.

"I loved my time in Australia last season and I'm looking forward to challenging myself against some of the best players in the world."