LEIGH Centurions skipper Paul Rowley is to finish his playing career at the end of the month.

Rowley will pull on his boots for the 400th and final time for the home game against Sheffield Eagles on April 29 before heading into retirement.

The 32-year-old hooker has decided the time is right to step aside as a player and concentrate all his efforts on becoming a coach.

Promoted to first-team coach this season to work alongside manager Darren Shaw, Rowley admits his decision to stop playing was a tough one to make.

"The hardest thing for me was admitting to myself that my body is suffering from 15 years of back-to-back rugby," he said.

"I considered retiring at the end of last season but decided to give it one more go. I desperately want to reach the milestone of 400 career games - not many players will have that proud record."

Rowley will sit out Leigh's next two games against Doncaster on Sunday and in the Northern Rail Cup at Dewsbury the week after before winding up his career in front of his own fans on April 29.

"I know it's going to be a very emotional day," he admits. "But I'm proud of what I've achieved in my career."

Rowley has scored 117 tries in his career with Leigh, Halifax and Huddersfield.

"I've been proud to serve my club as a player, captain and coach and I will always have some connection with this club until my dying day," added the hooker, who, for the last two seasons, has defied medical advice and played on.

"I've got a hernia, tendonitis and arthritis and when it started to affect my everyday life, I've had to re-assess."