Eddie Jones wants to entice his former Queensland playmaker Quade Cooper to England on a surprise career-building short-term stint with Saracens.

Jones' interest in the ultra-talented Reds five-eighth, also in the sights of at least two NRL clubs and the Wellington-based Hurricanes, comes well out of left-field.

The former Wallabies coach gave Cooper his first opportunity at Super 14 level last season, propelling him into the Reds backline at just 18.

But, like the Reds, the quick-stepping prodigy showed only a few promising glimpses under Jones who took Queensland to the wooden spoon before quitting one year into his three-year contract.

Cooper was in tears after a forgettable match against the Chiefs which finished with a monumental tongue-lashing the coach directed at his beaten team.

It's understood Saracens, riding high in both the English premiership and Heineken Cup, are keen to lure Cooper to London for just the start of their season, allowing him to return to Ballymore for the Super 14 pre-season.

The deal would need to gain the blessing of the Queensland Rugby Union who could release him for a couple of months of top-quality rugby to help further develop the maturing five-eighth's career.

Cooper has this week started talks with the QRU for a new contract which is likely to be boosted by incentives from the Australian Rugby Union following a bright start to 2008.

If Cooper gained an ARU contract and/or played Test rugby this winter he would almost certainly be prevented from a stint in the UK. Selection in the Wallabies squad for a six-match tour of Hong Kong and Europe in November would also harpoon Saracens' plans.

With Matt Giteau the only safe bet as a Wallabies playmaker under new coach Robbie Deans, Test selection is certainly attainable for Cooper who is competing with NSW's Kurtley Beale and Reds teammate Berrick Barnes for second-in-line honours.

Cooper said he wanted to ignore contract issues and concentrate on playing well for 10th-placed Queensland, who have a bye this week.

The 20-year-old began the Super 14 outside the 22 but was starting at No.10 in round five when he helped engineer a 40-8 upset of the Bulls, which marked a 121-point turnaround against the defending champions from their 92-3 2007 last-round humiliation.

With slick skills and a step as good as Wests Tigers' Kiwi international Benji Marshall, Cooper has attracted interest from league,, which he played as a junior growing up in New Zealand.

Reds high-performance director Ben Whitaker said they wouldn't instantly rule out allowing Cooper to enjoy a between-season stint overseas if he wanted to further develop his game.

"We haven't heard much about it but we've helped out before when players have been released to play in the (New Zealand) NPC (after the Super 14)," he said.

Injured Brumbies fullback Julian Huxley was allowed a release by the Reds in 2004 to play in New Zealand while NSW back Ben Batger played for Hawkes Bay last season.

Whitaker felt hot-property Cooper was keen to stay in rugby and in Brisbane.

"He told us he was really interested in staying here," he said. "He's very happy here, he's obviously starting and he feels his future is with us."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP