RETURN to your home country where the virus that has ground daily life to a halt has been suppressed to the point of eradication or remain on the other side of the world in lockdown?

On the face of it, it seems a simple choice.

Indeed, the draw of the homeland did appeal to Jason Clark with England still in the grip of Covid-19 and his Warrington Wolves contract nearing its end.

However, the fact he decided that Warrington was indeed home now for the loose forward and his family shows how well they have adjusted to life in England.

As such, a new deal was signed and the 31-year-old is preparing for his third season in Super League.

“It was easier for me to say I wanted to stay than say I wanted to leave,” he said in an honest chat with the Guardian.

“My body feels good and I love the club and town.

“Obviously, Australia is in a much better situation at the moment with Covid. I speak to family and friends over there and they are almost living a normal life again.

“That meant there was a bit of a draw to head back there, but I feel like I’ve still got plenty to offer rugby-wise.”

Jason Clark in pre-season training with Warrington Wolves ahead of the 2021 season

Jason Clark in pre-season training with Warrington Wolves ahead of the 2021 season

With England in its third national lockdown, those living as far away from home as the Clark family are have it tougher than most.

Ever the positive thinker, though, he decided alongside wife Lauren to make the best of it alongside daughters Milla, Billie and Andi.

From their base in Grappenhall, they took a chance to do the exploring they could not quite do when they first arrived in England just over two years ago.

As a result of lockdown rules forcing them all to largely stay home, Clark feels the family unit is stronger.

“In the first lockdown, you obviously could only leave your house for an hour a day,” he said.

“We found ourselves looking at it and taking the time to enjoy ourselves together.

“We got here on November 9, 2018 and I started training a week later.

“I didn’t really get chance to take in the town – places around Grappenhall where we live, Stockton Heath.

“When that lockdown came, we were walking along the canal and we could find some real hidden spots that we otherwise wouldn’t have seen.

“As much as we’re in a global pandemic and it’s a devastating time, we did our best to take some positives from it.

“I’d like to think a lot of families grew stronger from it.

“Obviously a lot will have clashed because of being in each other’s pockets 24/7 but I think plenty will have grown.”