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Up to three Australian provinces are chasing the signature of former Wallaby Luke Burgess, who is keen to return from France and play in Australia - potentially in time to meet the British and Irish Lions tour in June.
The 37-Test halfback is believed to have asked French club Toulouse for an early release and is being currently being pursued by the Melbourne Rebels and the Brumbies for 2014. Representatives of the Waratahs are also understood to have expressed interest in their former no.9.
The Australian Rugby Union has been in informal contact with Burgess about a possible return, which would be dependent on Toulouse agreeing to the release.
Sources said Burgess' motivation to return to Australia was primarily for family reasons, with the 28-year-old and wife Emilie having had their first child in November.
Growing disillusionment with sharing the starting halfback jersey at Toulouse is also said to have played a role.
A third and powerful lure for Burgess to return to Australia, however, is the chance to play for the Wallabies again, potentially as early as the British and Irish Lions series.
Having been approached by Robbie Deans to be on standby for the Wallabies' Spring Tour last year, Burgess revealed Deans had also expressed interest in the no.9 playing a role against the Lions.
"I'm tempted, I'll say that. I haven't ruled it out or in," Burgess told a newspaper in November. "The Lions are a big thing for any rugby player so I'm tempted.''
At the time Burgess was discussing a temporary release from Toulouse, but keen to be closer to family in Australia, he is now looking for a permanent exit from his contract, which expires next year. It is believed the French club will grant the release if they can recruit a suitable replacement, but have not yet done so.
While the door would be opened by his return, the likelihood of Burgess playing against the Lions is now viewed as slim, however.
The French season ends in late May, leaving Burgess only a few weeks to return to Australia and win selection for a June Test series. Complicating the matter further, it is believed the ARU would require him to have to be playing Super Rugby to be picked.
It is more likely any return to the Wallabies fold for Burgess would come in the Rugby Championship in August.
Melbourne are keen to get Burgess back to Melbourne - where he played in the ARC in 2007 - where he would link up with former Sydney Uni coach Damien Hill.
The Rebels' Test no.9 Nick Phipps has been linked with a move to NSW in 2014.
Tahs coach Michael Cheika said he had not spoken with Burgess but sources said contact had been made by NSW Rugby officials.
The Brumbies have also thrown their hat in the ring and expressed interest in talking to Burgess about returning to Canberra, where he was in the ACT Academy between 2005-2008.
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