Kevin Sinfield in running for Sports Personality of the Year

It has been an unforgettable year for Leeds Rhinos but it could get even better for one of the city’s true sporting legends after being named in the running for a prestigious prize.

A 12-strong shortlist of stars to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015 includes the Rhinos’ treble winning captain Kevin Sinfield.

The Oldham-born stalwart, who served the Rhinos for 22 years, signed off his rugby league career in fine fashion this season.

The seven-times Super League winning legend captained the team to victory in the Super League Grand Final in his final match - a win which clinched the club’s first ever cup treble - before he made the late switch to rugby union; now plying his trade with the Rhino’s sister club, Yorkshire Carnegie.

He is joined on the award shortlist by Otley’s cycling champion Lizzie Armitstead and Sheffield’s superstar athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill.

The award shortlist is decided with the input of selected former sports stars and newspaper sports editors.

The winner will be announced during a televised awards ceremony in Belfast on December 20. The show will be hosted by Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan.