SAINTS scrum half Matty Smith will leave the club at the end of the season.

It is not an unexpected move, given the experienced Grand Final, Challenge Cup Final and Lance Todd Trophy winner has barely featured this term as a result of the advancement of Danny Richardson.

Smith will move on to another Super League club for an undisclosed fee, with Catalans Dragons touted widely as his destination.

Having lost his place to the half pairing of Jonny Lomax and Richardson, the only time Smith has been able to don the red vee has been in spring when he operated at nine in James Roby's absence.

Saints head coach Justin Holbrook said: “It’s been tough for Matty this year.

"He just missed out at the beginning of the season at half back and it has been hard for him to work his way into the team as we have had a successful season to date.

“He has done a great job for us at hooker when needed but Matty is too good a player not to be playing in Super League regularly and therefore it made sense to make this move happen.

“Matty has been a good influence in training and around the squad and that can’t have been easy when he wasn’t playing.

“He is a great guy and we wish him all the best.”

Smith was signed up for his third spell at the club by then coach Keiron Cunningham with a view to having an experienced, controlling half back.

But his spell has been littered with misfortune, breaking his leg in a pre-season friendly game at the start of 2017.

He made his debut as a teenager in 2006 after coming through the club’s Academy system, and after spells on loan at Widnes, Celtic and Salford he was recalled at the end of 2010 for the last days of Knowsley Road and the Grand Final run in.

Prior to joining Saints Smith had a hugely successful spell at Wigan, not only helping that side to the double, but playing a part in nurturing George Williams.

But it has not quite clicked at Saints - and he was overtaken in the pecking order by Richardson and could never get that back.

He’s played 49 times for the Saints, racking up 44 points.

Smith said: “Firstly, I would like to thank both Eamonn McManus and Keiron Cunningham for bringing me back to St Helens, a club that I grew up supporting from an early age.

“It’s fair to say that the past two years have not gone as I would have hoped or liked. Unfortunately, last year, the two worst injuries of my career limited my time on the pitch and this season I have not had the chance to play in my most effective position of scrum half.

“It has been difficult for me to sit and watch because anyone who knows me will tell you how passionate I am about playing rugby league.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Eamonn for the way he has handled my situation.

"He has been great with me and allowed me to leave the club two years before my contract was due to end in order to fulfil my desire to play rugby league at the top level.

“I would like to wish everyone at the club nothing but the best for the rest of the season and beyond.”