Giants hooker Lunt surprised at chance to join champions Rhinos

The move comes about after leaders Huddersfield were forced to find room in their salary cap for the re-signing of Scott Moore following his release from Widnes.

Lunt, who played for England in 2010, had already fallen down the pecking order at the Galpharm behind Luke Robinson, Tommy Lee and David Faiumu, making just six substitute appearances this year.

“I turned 25 this week and know I’m at a stage in my career when I need to be playing regular first-team rugby,” he said.

“I was surprised when Nathan Brown told me last week that Leeds had been in touch about coming here on loan.

“Normally when you go on loan it is not to another one of the top teams in the competition so I am really pleased to be joining the world champions.”

Leeds have been using scrum-half Rob Burrow as their first-choice hooker this term although he remains doubtful for the Catalan game after suffering a cheekbone injury against Wakefield.

Paul McShane is competing for the role but Liam Hood will join Dewsbury Rams on a dual-registration deal to give him more first-team experience.

Rhinos coach Brian McDermott said: “Shaun is a player we have monitored for a while and he will give us strength in depth in a number of positions in the forwards as we enter a tough period of the season.”

Huddersfield second-row Jacob Fairbank, 22, has signed a contract extension until the end of 2015.

Halifax coach Karl Harrison recalls Luke Ambler, Jim Gannon, Wayne Reittie, Anthony Thackeray, Adam Robinson and Ryan Fieldhouse for tonight’s Co-operative Championship game against Leigh.