Stade Francais' Mark Gasnier looks increasingly likely to return to Australia at the end of the season, with new Super 15 franchise Melbourne Rebels leading the chase for the former rugby league international.

Rebels coach Rod Macqueen has admitted that he's already met Gasnier, while ongoing discussions with the ARU are believed to be nearing a deal that help finance the player's return.

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Queensland Reds - coached by former Gasnier's former Stade boss Ewen McKenzie - and the Brumbies are also in contention for the player's signature, although Melbourne remain favourites.

"We still remain very interested in acquiring Mark's services," confirmed Rebels chief executive Brian Waldron. "I think as time goes on the decision gets closer for him."

It is understood that Gasnier, 28, has until the end this month to clarify his future plans with Stade Francais, but it appears that not even the arrival of future head coach Michael Cheika (also Australian) can persuade the former rugby league star to stay.

Gasnier has been courted by the ARU with a view to him breaking into the national squad ahead of the 2011 World Cup, and to do that he needs to be playing in Australia.

A rumoured return to his former league club St George Illawarra has been ruled out.

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However, Gasnier's former league teammate Jonathan Thurston is considering a move in the other direction with the off-contract star apparently attracting the interest of three Top 14 clubs after the combined selling efforts of agents Greg Keenan and Pierre Vandome.

Half-back Thurston is weighing up his options as his North Queensland Cowboys contract comes to an end, with the rugby league superstar also attracting the attention of fellow NRL side Newcastle Knights.

Another player on the move is Montauban's 25-year-old Régis Lespinas, who looks set to return to former club Brive in the summer.

Lespinas spent two seasons with Brive between 2003-05 before moving on to Montpellier (for three years) and then Montauban (in 2008/9).

In other news, Stade Toulousain have been hit by another serious injury following confirmation that winger Yves Donguy sustained cruciate ligament damage during Saturday's away defeat against Biarritz.

The 28-year-old ruptured the ligaments in his right knee in the game's final minute and will now miss the rest of the season. He is expected to be operated on this week but head coach Guy Noves - who is already without Frédéric Michalak - lamented Donguy's injury.

"This is another blow for us," he said. "We know that it takes a year to regain his best form after such an injury," added Noves.