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"The Western Force hope they have resolved one of their major positional problems as they begin planning for next year's Super rugby competition.
They have placed a two-year offer on the table to on-loan hooker Nathan Charles, whose 80m run set up the winning try in Friday night's 24-16 boilover against the Crusaders.
The Force are putting faith in youth in the crucial No.2 jumper with Charles, 21, and Ben Whittaker, who has another year on his contract, a year younger.
It is understood Ryan Tyrrell, who moved from the back row to the hooking role when he joined the Force, has been advised not to play in the front row again after major surgery following a neck injury.
If Charles accepts the deal, the Force would not have to use their marquee card for an overseas international to fill the No.2 jumper and could instead look overseas for a playmaker if Quade Cooper knocks back their offer and stays with the Queensland Reds.
Fly-half David Hill must return to Japanese club Toshiba at the end of this season and the Force are keen to find an experienced replacement.
Force rugby manager Mitch Hardy confirmed the offer had been made to Charles, who is on a short-term contract from the ACT Brumbies academy.
"We have been negotiating with Nathan in the last week or so but we are not getting too far ahead of ourselves at this stage," Hardy said.
"Nathan is doing really well and we believe we have put a fair and just offer in front of him for where he is at in his career."
The club has drawn up a hit list of playmakers, but Hardy also refused to rule out last year's marquee signing, Springbok Andre Pretorius, who suffered a major hamstring injury before the season started.
The list contains players from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and the Force may also look to Argentina, who are expected to be playing in an expanded southern hemisphere "Four Nations" competition from 2012.
Hardy revealed he had organised meetings with players and agents in South Africa during the club's three-game tour that kicks off against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
"You always have to have a Plan B," he said, referring to the possibility that Charles might reject the offer.
"We have a short list and we'll put in some legwork while we're in South Africa. We've got a few meetings teed up.
"I wouldn't put a line through Andre yet though."
In another move, winger Scott Staniforth, is weighing up an offer to stay another year at the club.
Staniforth, who returned to the Force on a short-term contract when Japanese club Yokogawa folded, is understood to have received an offer from the Brumbies.
"We are looking at what Scott wants," Hardy said.
"We are weighing up the budget but things are a bit tight." "
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