Evans bids the game Farewell

Canberra Raiders centre James Evans has decided to quit rugby league, saying he has lost his passion for the game.

Raiders coach Matthew Elliott and general manager Don Furner are to announce Evans' decision to leave the code later today.

A spokesman for the NRL club said the 25-year-old had lost the passion to play and wanted to concentrate on travelling.

Evans has gone through a long rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction following a knee injury suffered in 2002 which sidelined him for 13 months.

He managed only three first grade games last year as he returned from injury and has spent this year playing in premier league.