Ben Kay still hoping to play again at top level © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Matches: England 35 - 26 Barbarians

Players/Officials: Ben Kay

Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership

Teams: England | Leicester Tigers

Where will Ben Kay play next? The World Cup winner took his leave of Leicester on Saturday when he joined the Tigers on the pitch following the Guinness Premiership triumph over Saracens. Some 24 hours later he was back on the Twickenham turf when playing the first 50 minutes for the Barbarians against the England XV.

The lock has been fending off questions about his future since January when it first emerged that Leicester were set to jettison one of their most experienced forwards after 11 years and . He has been linked to Melbourne, Toulon, Leeds, Harlequins and now Caldy, the ambitious junior club on his native Merseyside.

But Kay has continued to 'dead bat' the questions insisting that the rumours about Caldy, who play in National Two North, had been set off by friends at the club. He explained to the Liverpool Daily Post: "I heard the rumours about me signing for Caldy but they aren't true.

"I haven't got a clue how they started but it might be the fact that I have got some mates involved down there and they have probably been joking around but there is no truth in that rumour whatsoever. I can't see myself dropping down to that level anytime soon to be honest, definitely not in a playing capacity."

The 34-year-old started his career at Waterloo and returned to the Blundellsands club last week for his testimonial dinner. He has offered to provide some coaching help to new director of rugby Jan van Deventer.

"I did a dinner there last week and I offered my services to do the odd session with them and things like that. I haven't made any decisions on my future yet. I have a few things in the pipeline but I haven't made any firm conclusions."

He believes he still has the necessary ability to play top division rugby, even if his dream of appearing in a third World Cup final for England appears nothing more than that. "I still feel I have what it takes to play top level rugby and I am confident in my abilities.

"Everyone wants to play at the top level for as long as they can and I am no different. I am sad to leave Leicester but it is nice to go out with a bang and end on a high with such a great season. A couple of games with the Barbarians is all about just enjoying my rugby, taking a step away from the worries of club rugby and just focusing on enjoying myself."