Stephen Larkham's exit would be a huge loss to Australia

It is though that Larkham has been offered a three-year contract by the newly-promoted Zurich Premiership club that would double his current salary.

The ARU's Brett Robinson said: "We've already started talking to his management team."

"If the figures are accurate it would make it tough to keep him."

Robinson added: "But there are other elements apart from the monetary considerations, and I know Steve is very keen to stay on in Australia.

"He has already indicated that to us."

We'll be holding on to some senior players, we'll be letting others go ARU's Brett Robinson

Larkham, who started his career with the Brumbies in 1996, played his first 12 Tests at full-back, and another in the position against England in 2002.

The 29-year-old's remaining 53 Test appearances, the first of them in 1998 against an English rookie named Jonny Wilkinson, have been in the number 10 shirt.

Asked if Larkham could continue on to the next World Cup in 2007, Robinson said: "It's too early to make that sort of statement.

"But certainly he's capable of playing on for the next year or two."

Robinson said other Wallaby veterans would not be offered extended contracts.

"We'll be holding on to some senior players. We'll be letting others go. And we do have a young group of players coming through."