Published at 13:11, Monday, 19 October 2009

JOINING THE UNION? Matt Gardner is mulling over a switch from rugby league DAVE WILLIAMS/RL PHOTOS

RL ace Matt Gardner is pondering a switch to rugby union after severing his ties with Super League Harlequins.

The Walney flier made only 10 appearances for the London side this season after moving from Salford last year.

Having been disappointed with the lack of opportunities at the Stoop, 24-year-old Gardner has decided to look to pastures new and is contemplating a move to the 15-a-side game.

The former Leeds Academy youngster, who has now moved back to St Helens – where his brother and Saints winger Ade is based – and is mulling over several options for next year, including a move to Craven Park.

“I’m talking to quite a few clubs at the moment, both rugby union and rugby league,” said Gardner, a part of Barrow Raiders’ 2004 National League Two title-winning team.

“Hopefully I will stay in rugby league, but I can’t really say which clubs I am talking to at the moment because I haven’t agreed terms.

“I think everyone in rugby league at the moment considers union just because of the money and because it’s something different. It’s something that you can say you had a go at.

“It’s like (Leeds Rhinos player) Lee Smith, who has gone to Wasps. I’m pretty good friends with him and he just said it is something he wants to try.”

This is not the first time Gardner has had the chance to make the switch to rugby union.

During his time as a youngster at Leeds, the opportunity presented itself as well.

But the ex-St Bernard’s School pupil turned it down to stay in the game he has played since childhood.

This time though, it could be a different story.

“I had a few offers when I was younger and at Leeds from the likes of Gloucester and Leeds, but I turned them down because I think I was a bit too scared at that point in time to make the switch,” added Gardner.

“But at this time in my career it is definitely an option for me.

“The skill-factor is an issue as well. A few years ago, club rugby union was rubbish and you didn’t want to watch it because it was boring and everyone wanted to watch the international games.

“But now the Zurich Premiership is catching up to Super 14s over in Australia - it’s a bit more enticing for rugby league players to go over and play.

“If I get the right deal I would definitely stay in rugby league. I would always choose rugby league over rugby union, no matter what.

“But if the right deal doesn’t come in league then I will just have to think about it and see what happens.”

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