League: Stacey Jones to leave Warriors

Stacey Jones is off at the end of the year. Herald file picture

Halfback Stacey Jones will leave the New Zealand Warriors at end of the year after 11 seasons with the National Rugby League club.

Jones, whose contract with the Warriors runs to the end of 2006, has been given a release by the club.

He confirmed today that he had signed a letter of intent to join French club Union Treiziste Catalane at the start of next year.

The Perpignan-based Union Treiziste Catalane (UTC) is set to join England's Super League competition next year.

UTC's director of football is Australian David Waite, previously coach of Great Britain and also NRL club St George Illawarra.

Jones, 28, has played a record 221 games for the Warriors.

He is the only surviving member of the club's inaugural season in 1995, when he made his first-grade debut against Parramatta in round seven.

He holds other club records, including most points (563) and most tries (72), and was made a life member last month.

After struggling last year when coming back from ankle and groin surgery, Jones has shown glimpses of a return to form this season during the Warriors' three wins and three losses.

A former Kiwi skipper, Jones retired from international football last year after 34 test appearances.

- NZPA