Gary Connolly made a dramatic return to rugby league on Boxing Day by signing a two-year contract with Leeds Rhinos and immediately set his sights on playing in next year's Ashes series.
The 31-year-old centre or full-back looked to have brought the curtain down on his 14-year career in the 13-man code last month when he helped Great Britain to their first win against New Zealand for nine years.
Released by Wigan despite having a year left on his contract, he was resigned to playing out his career with rugby union club Orrell, for whom he made a 40-minute appearance as a replacement in their recent Powergen Cup defeat by Northampton.
But his heart remained in league and he jumped at the chance to extend his Super League career with the top Yorkshire club.
"I'm a rugby league player and I think I have two or three years left in me," said Connolly, who received a rapturous welcome when he was introduced to the 10,366 crowd at Headingley for today's friendly between Leeds and Castleford.
"I would have played union but, when a club like Leeds come in for you, it's an honour. There was some other interest but I wouldn't have signed for anybody else."
Leeds moved quickly once Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay made it clear he would not stand in the way of Connolly joining a rival Super League club.
"It all happened fairly quickly and I'd like to place on record how good Wigan have been about it," said Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington. "They have treated him in a proper and professional way.
"Gary is a top-quality, current international and a natural winner. He's very determined and ambitious and the tremendous reception he received from the South Stand is very encouraging."
Today's shock move ends Connolly's ambitions of playing in next year's rugby union World Cup.
The former St Helens full-back, who played briefly for Harlequins in 1996, qualifies for both Ireland and England and was recently approached by England coach Clive Woodward.
"I was asked if I would be interested but it would have taken something special to get in the side," said Connolly. "I think my chances would have been probably slim."
A third-choice full-back, Connolly had an outstanding Test series against the Kiwis and has not ruled out adding to his 29 caps when world champions Australia visit this country next autumn.
"I really enjoyed the Test series and I think I did all right," he said. "I think was I was retired by the media but I still have ambitions to play for my country."
Leeds coach Daryl Powell said the capture of Connolly would add vital experience to a largely youthful squad at Headingley.
"We have a lot of young players who have great potential and Gary will help them but we also need experience to make sure we are successful in the short term," he said.
Powell, who played alongside Connolly for Great Britain, hinted that his new signing would be used primarily as a full-back.
"He brings versatility but he looked pretty accomplished in the full-back role for Great Britain," he added.
Connolly made his debut for St Helens as a 17-year-old in January 1989 and made 133 appearances for them before joining Wigan in September 1993.
A 1992 Great Britain tourist, he played 295 times for Wigan and the third Test against New Zealand was the 477th match of his professional rugby league career.