 Marshall, 32, won 81 caps for New Zealand |
Former All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall admits he could leave relegated Leeds if the club is prepared to release him from his contract. Marshall does not have an escape clause in a deal that runs until 2007.
"I came over here because I wanted something different," he said. "But it didn't mean that I didn't want to experience it at the top level.
"That is what I came over for and what I seek. Ultimately, it's Leeds' decision what they want to do with me."
Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington confirmed Marshall has no escape clause in his deal. "We want to build from here and Justin will be playing for Leeds in National League One next season," Hetherington said.
Marshall is reportedly the subject of a lucrative offer from French side Bourgouin, while newly-promoted Harlequins have also been linked with a move to reunite him with old All Blacks half-back partner Andrew Mehrtens.
 |  I have played my heart and guts out this season |
"I am unable to make any negotiations with other clubs or look to my future because of my contract," Marshall said. "It would be an act of good faith if they let me go. But whatever happens, you put up with it.
"I would have expected Leeds to be a lot higher up than we are, and that seems a little bit like I have failed in what I came over here to do.
"I felt that Leeds were always competitve and capable of beating all the other teams in the competition, but what they couldn't do was win the close ones.
"I thought that perhaps with my experience I might have been able to help the side and get us into positions to win those sort of games, but that hasn't happened, so I feel slightly disappointed about that.
"But I have played my heart and guts out this season, that is the way I am."
MMIX
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