Davies plans return to union

Rugby League

Jonathan Davies will talk to Warrington after the Centenary World Cup about a release to enable him to move back to Wales to coach and play rugby union, writes Dave Hadfield.

Davies said yesterday that, apart from Cardiff's interest in employing him as director of rugby, a number of other union clubs had approached him about playing. "They all know that I want to go home eventually," he said. "There has never been any secret about that, but it will all have to be sorted out with Warrington."

Warrington regard Davies as being under contract to them until the end of the 1997 Super League season. Davies, however, wants to finish what has been a glittering rugby league career, which began with his signing for Widnes almost seven years ago, after next year's inaugural summer season.

Although he still has long-term plans to expand his media interests, he believes that, even at 33 next month, he would still be capable of returning to rugby union at the highest level. "I have just come back from playing in the Winfield Cup and I do not think there would be any drama about playing rugby union for Wales again," he said.

Warrington have so far played down any suggestions that they would consider releasing Davies from any part of the remainder of his contract with a dead bat, while Davies would like to put the whole situation to one side until after the World Cup.