Leicester are considering Wests Tigers' request to release dual international Lote Tuqiri in time for round one of the NRL.

Wests Tigers have asked the English rugby union club to bring an early end to Tuqiri's contract, which expires at the end of March even though the northern hemisphere season runs until the end of May.

A spokesman for Leicester Tigers said on Tuesday no decision had been reached, but confirmed the clubs were in talks about the possibility of an early release.

"There's a lot of balls in the air," the spokesman said.

"There's been no decision from either side."

Leicester are out of Europe's Heineken Cup and the Anglo-Welsh LV Cup competition, leaving only the English premiership where they are top of the table.

That means they have only two fixtures in March falling within Tuqiri's contract period, against London Irish on March 6 and Worcester Warriors on March 27.

Should Tuqiri be released after the first of those games, it would be a tough ask to leave England and join his new club in time to face Manly on March 15.

Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys said this week the best case scenario would have the 30-year-old return just prior to round one.

He said: "Whether that means he would be ready to play round one or not's up to the coach".

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP