Benson Stanley to quit Clermont at season end

Clermont - New Zealand centre Benson Stanley said on Thursday he will quit Top 14 outfit Clermont at the end of the season after electing not to take up an option for a fifth year in France. 

"If I want to carry on playing it will not be here," the Sports Auvergne media portal quoted the 32-year-old, who has three international caps with the All Blacks, as saying.

The Australian-born Stanley came to the club in 2012 and his four-year deal runs out at the end of this campaign, albeit he had the option of agreeing a one-year extension.

Clermont, leading the way in Top 14 this season and on the verge of a European Cup quarter-finals berth, have already seen former All Blacks wing Hosea Gear join Lyon on a short term deal after the 32-year-old failed to hold down a regular place in the side.

Lyon want Gear to make up for the absence of injured quartet Franck Romanet, Pacific Islander Napolioni Nalaga, Henry Clunies-Ross and Fijian Jone Tuva.