Former NRL and rugby union star Wendell Sailor says fellow dual international Lote Tuqiri is unlikely to stay with English rugby club Leicester.

Tuqiri has recently been reported to be contemplating extending his stay in English rugby union rather than return to play rugby league with the Wests Tigers.

But Sailor, a former Queensland State of Origin, Kangaroos, Wallabies and NSW Waratahs team-mate of Tuqiri, can't see the 30-year-old staying with the English Premiership-leading Tigers.

"The last time I chatted with him he'd just played in the snow and he wasn't real keen on the winter conditions," Sailor told AAP.

"I asked him if NRL was an option and he said "it's definitely an option especially after seeing what myself and Mat Rogers have done the past couple of years".

"But he doesn't give too much away Lote.

"I think for him and his family it (England) is a nice place to go to for a little bit of a, I wouldn't say vacation, but a change.

"If he's going to go anywhere I think he'd look to come home or France. I don't know for sure but I don't think the cold conditions and big Fijians mix."

Regardless of Tuqiri's decision, Tigers coach Tim Sheens told Sky Sports Radio on Wednesday he's hoping to know what his target's intentions are within the next two or three days.

And Sailor, for his part, feels returning to the competition where Tuqiri originally made his name with the Brisbane Broncos makes the most sense for his good mate.

"He'll be fresh and just wanting to prove something you know?" Sailor said.

"I just think if the Tigers get him or any other club gets him, it's a great opportunity for him and a great opportunity for the club.

"We're in good shape - rugby league - at the moment, and I just think with Lote Tuqiri it would get even better."

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