Jarrod quit shock

Jarrod Ward: job in Europe

WINGER Jarrod Ward has said au revoir to Oldham RL Club to take a full-time job outside rugby in France.

His departure was described by coach Scott Naylor as “a blow for the team, the squad and the club”.

Oldham-born Ward (21) was working in the south of France last close-season when Roughyeds signed him on a one-year contract. He played most of last season for Gloucester All Golds on loan from Halifax.

He was reared by championship and super league clubs from the age of 13, having also been at Salford and Bradford Bulls. In his first season with Oldham he has appeared in 12 of 13 games and scored four tries, on the left wing in all but one game.

Naylor said: “It’s a blow, but we wish Jarrod all the best and hope everything goes well for him.

“As a young man with his future ahead of him he has made the sort of decision we will always respect. He said it was a hard decision to make, but we fully understand the reasons behind it.

“His family are in France so he won’t be on his own over there. He thought about it long and hard and he’s genuinely sad to be leaving, but he’s made his decision and he’s sticking to it.”