Jumper Leeds for Marshall?

A host of English Premiership clubs are ready to pounce for Justin Marshall should the All Black halfback decide against joining Leeds at the end of the Lions tour.
Marshall announced in January he would be joining English Premiership side Leeds in July this year. But the Tykes are now five points adrift of Northampton in the English Premiership with four games left and are almost certain to be relegated.

Marshall has an escape clause that will allow him to terminate the contract if Leeds slip into the semi-professional National Division One.

One club, thought to be Harlequins, have already noted their interest and ability to match the 150,000 ($387,000) a year Leeds had committed to pay Marshall.

Harlequins have had a disappointing season and are desperate to build a team that can deliver results for a large and loyal support. They are known to be chasing Carlos Spencer as they feel they need some game-breaking talent in their side. Their current first-choice halfback is Steven So'oialo, older brother of All Black No 8, Rodney.

Marshall would be a welcome addition to Harlequins' squad, just as he would be for Bath, London Irish, Saracens and Worcester, which are all operating with halfbacks who could be labelled journeyman.

One prominent agent in the UK says that while the likes of Wasps (Matt Dawson), Northampton (Mark Robinson), Gloucester (Andy Gomarsall), Leicester (Harry Ellis) and Newcastle (Hall Charlton), all have test-quality halfbacks, they would all be interested in signing Marshall should he become available.

The agent said: "If a player of Marshall's quality were to become available, every club in the league will be interested. He's a name. A proven player and current All Black. A place can always be found for someone like that and money will not be a problem."

Marshall's future is still shrouded in 'ifs', firstly because Leeds could stay up and also because even if they finish last, there is confusion as to whether they'll definitely be relegated.

The Premiership rules state the bottom club will be relegated with the winner of National Division One promoted on the condition that club can satisfy certain criteria, such as the quality of their ground and financial strength.

In the past, Premiership clubs have made it difficult for the champion Division One side to move up. They argue that the promoted club invariably goes straight back down as they don't have the sufficient quality or strength in depth to compete at the higher level.

There have even been reports that a cash incentive will be offered to persuade the champion to stay in the lower division. However, the three leading clubs - Exeter, Bristol and Plymouth Albion - have vowed they will take legal action if their path to the top should be blocked by the Premiership clubs.

It is understood that most of the Premiership clubs are keen for Bristol, who are four points behind Exeter but with a game in hand, to win the league. They are still recognised as one of the biggest clubs in England in terms of their support base and ability to attract top players. They were a Premiership side from the inaugural championship in 1996 until 2003 and can satisfy all the relevant criteria to come up.

Should Marshall, as now seems inevitable, terminate his contract with Leeds, it raises the possibility of the halfback being reunited with his long-term Crusaders and All Black partner, Andrew Mehrtens.

Mehrtens strongly hinted last week he will leave New Zealand if he misses out on All Black selection for the Lions. The prospect of fielding an inside pairing of Mehrtens and Marshall is one every club in Europe would be willing to pay handsomely for.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY