An internet search on Stuart Reardon throws up some interesting results.

Such as the fact that the former Bradford player is currently plying his trade with ASC Carcassonne in the south of France and working as a part-time model.

This may be news to the legions of Bulls fans who watched Reardon rise through the ranks at Odsal, winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy in the 2003 Grand Final win over Wigan, before returning to the club for a second spell in 2010.

When asked about his new venture, which sees him advertise his services on the Model Mayhem website, the former West Bowling amateur is almost beside himself with laughter.

“It’s not a career change, it’s more of a sideline!” he told the T&A from Carcassonne this week.

“It started about six or seven months ago. I’m in good shape and have done a few pictures which have been published in various places.

“It’s going well and I can make a bit of money out of it, which I have done, so why not?

“Hopefully it can get bigger and better, but at the same time I don’t have any great expectations.

“Rugby league is still very much my main focus.”

Reardon has had a colourful career, a number of cruel injury setbacks denying him the chance to fulfill his true potential and a conviction for common assault in 2008 leading Warrington to sack him.

Yet his ability has never been in doubt and he is clearly enjoying life in Carcassonne, a picturesque city with a population of around 50,000.

He accepted an eight-month deal with the French Elite One Championship outfit when Crusaders withdrew their application for a new Super League licence in July and their players’ contracts became null and void.

Elliot Kear and Jarrod Sammut secured deals at Bradford but Reardon, 30, was left facing an uncertain future.

“I was struggling to find a Super League club after leaving Crusaders,” he explained.

“It was looking like a Championship club or nothing but Clinton Schifcofske, who I played with at Crusaders, acted as my agent and put me in touch with another agent in France.

“Carcassonne appealed to me and I took it straight away.

“It’s an eight-month contract and it’s a good standard, about the same level as the Championship in England.

“The league is getting better every year and there are some good Australian players as well as the French lads already here.

“We’re confident of having a good season and getting into the top six to make the play-offs.”

Reardon, who played much of his career at full back and wing, is currently being deployed at right centre.

Thus far he has played four games and scored four tries, and is fit to return after an ankle injury to play Catalan Dragons’ reserve side in a league match this weekend.

His son lives in Bradford with his ex-wife, while his girlfriend resides in Warrington, but Reardon sees them both regularly and will be back in England for Christmas.

In Carcassonne he lives with several team-mates in a house paid for by the club.

He has also been given a club car and said: “The lifestyle here is really good and the temperatures are still warm.

“Carcassonne isn’t as big as Bradford but it’s a lovely place with a castle and a lot of nice restaurants.

“I’m about an hour from Toulouse and 45 minutes from Perpignan.

“We can get up to 10,000 in a big game but rugby union is massive in France and we groundshare with the Carcassonne rugby union club.

“However, big efforts are being made to promote the game here by giving a lot of tickets away and we usually get a home crowd of between 3,000 and 4,000.

“The people are very warm and welcoming and it’s important to make an effort with the language, so I’m taking French lessons.

“I know the basic pleasantries, which is a good start.”

His old Bulls team-mate Leon Pryce is also in the south of France following his move to Catalan Dragons.

The pair remain close friends and have visited each other “three or four times” already.

Certainly Reardon looks back at his time at Odsal with fond memories.

“Obviously the first spell was the best one,” said Reardon, who would consider any offers to return to Super League but admits that may be unlikely.

“I came back to Bradford after I’d had bad injuries but I really enjoyed my time there and have nothing but good memories. It’s my hometown club and there are a lot of great people who still work there behind the scenes.”

The highlight of his career was scoring a try against Wigan in the 2003 Grand Final at Old Trafford.

The following year he scored four tries for Great Britain in the Tri-Nations series.

“Joe Vagana made a break and offloaded it to me,” said Reardon of his touchdown against Wigan.

“I beat a few people and got over the line. I’ll never forget that day.”