Watch Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors in Barcelona live on Sky Sports Arena on Saturday from 3.15pm
Thursday 16 May 2019 09:00, UK
Greg Bird is contemplating retirement as he prepares for one of the highlights of his career, Saturday's Super League game at the Nou Camp.
The 35-year-old forward is in his second spell with Catalans Dragons and out of contract at the end of the year.
Bird returned to play out his career in Perpignan in 2017 after signing a five-year deal, the last two of which were meant to be as a coach.
Former England boss Steve McNamara has since replaced Laurent Frayssinous as head coach and Bird says he has yet to make up his mind about his future.
"I'm not quite sure if I'll go around again," he said. "I guess I'll see what happens.
"I'm off contract at present, so we'll get through this next period and see how the body is feeling. I'm getting a bit old now.
"The original plan was to play for three and then coach for two but to be honest I haven't really thought about it.
"I've been going 18 years now and it's whether I want to have another year playing.
"I've got three options, to have another year playing and continue living overseas away from family and perhaps take up a coaching role.
"I could go back to the NRL and do something similar or the third option is to hang my boots up and give rugby league up for a bit.
"I've spoken about it with my wife briefly and with Steve but I haven't made a decision on it.
"I'll have to address it soon but I'll take it a week at a time for now. I've really enjoyed my football the last few weeks."
Bird is particularly relishing the next fortnight, with Saturday's game against Wigan in Barcelona followed by the Magic Weekend at Anfield.
"As a tourist when I first arrived here, we went to Barcelona for a weekend and did the tour of the stadium and to be actually sitting in the lockers and getting to pull the boots on, it's going to be impressive," he said.
"We're very lucky to come over to England with some of the stadiums we get to play at.
"As a kid watching games at some of the big football stadiums and to have the opportunity to play at them now, it's going to be a good couple of weeks.
"Hopefully we can turn the experience into a couple of victories as well."
