Crusaders and Canterbury assistant coach Mark Jones has confirmed he will not return to New Zealand in 2021.
The former Welsh international will instead take up the same position with English club, Worcester Warriors.
Jones, who joined Canterbury and the Crusaders for their 2020 campaigns, filling a specialist role assisting with team defence and position-specific player development, returned home to Wales with his wife and two children following the conclusion of Canterbury's Mitre 10 Cup campaign.
He has made the "difficult decision not to return to New Zealand" amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, and has since been offered a coaching role closer to home, alongside former teammate Jonathan Thomas at Worcester.
The Crusaders say they are currently working through options to replace Jones, but no decision has been made as yet.
