NRL Grand Final winner Jason Clark signs off career as French Elite 1 champion

NRL winner and ex-Warrington forward Jason Clark has been crowned French Elite 1 champion in his final game, bringing an end to his 15-year career. 

An impressive crowd of 8,221 watched on as Clark’s Limoux claimed a 34-24 victory over Carcassonne in Narbonne. 

It is the fourth title for the French side, who defeated star-studded Lezignan 36-10 in the semi-finals with the likes of James Maloney, Corey Norman and James Segeyaro featuring for the opposition.

The Grand Final triumph was the ultimate game in Clark’s illustrious career, hanging up the boots at the age of 33 following one season in France.

He was named at starting loose forward ahead of the clash, with fellow Australian Pat Templeman in the halves and Constantine Mike also featuring in the front-row.

The French Elite Grand final was a part of festival of rugby league at Parc des Sports et de l’Amitie, with several junior, women’s and wheelchair games also playing across the weekend.

Narbonne is situated 60km east of Carcassonne, and 65km north of Perpignan. 

France international and former Salford full-back Morgan Escare featured for Carcassonne, who has previously expressed his interest in returning to Super League. 

Limoux Grizzlies, Rugby League champions of France 2023.
❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/WhYAMsHGQh

— Catalan Media 🇨🇵 (@catalanmedia) May 28, 2023

Jason Clark hangs up the boots

His French Elite Grand final appearance marks the end of Clark’s professional carer following more than 250 games since his debut in the NRL in 2009.

The loose forward made his first appearance with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a 41-6 win over St George Illawarra Dragons, featuring from the bench.

He enjoyed his breakthrough year the following season with 20 appearances in the 2010 NRL campaign. 

Clark tasted his first NRL finals in 2012, and was later part of the Rabbitohs side that defeated Canterbury Bulldogs 30-6 in the NRL Grand Final in 2014, featuring from the bench, while Sam Burgess claimed the Clive Churchill Medal in the victory.

Sydney-born Clark represented New South Wales City in 2015 and also played in his 100th first grade game in the same season.

He made the switch to Super League ahead of the 2019 season with Warrington, and played in the Challenge Cup victory over St Helens at Wembley Stadium.

Clark made a total of 85 appearances for Warrington across four seasons and moved to France for the 2022/2023 French Elite 1 campaign.

He made 169 NRL appearances for South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Life after league

Clark previously revealed to Love Rugby League he will return to South Sydney Rabbitohs following his stint in France, working in player welfare with an added interest in coaching.

The Australian helped coach the academy side at Warrington alongside Richard Marshall during his stint in England.

“We’ll [my family] be back in Australia and will hopefully working with the Rabbitohs in welfare,” Clark previously told Love Rugby League.

“That’s a part of the game I really feel passionate about with the way the game is going for young kids and older blokes coming through the game and the pressure that’s put on them.

“I’d like to think I can help them in that aspect as I’ve been going for so long now.”

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