The NRL could be in line to lose another big name to rugby after it was uncovered that Tigers and Kiwis star, Benji Marshall, is eyeing up a code switch in the near future.

This follows the recent departure of Mark Gasnier and Sonny Bill Williams, both of whom are now playing rugby in Europe.

Benji has expressed interest in playing rugby in Japan during the NRL off season, which would see him remain in the NRL - but of course this is all dependent on whether his club will give him permission to take up rugby during the off season. With Benji's tendency to need surgery during his time off, it's unlikely any club would be happy about having their star player risk injury playing rugby.

The danger here is that if his club, presently the Tigers, doesn't allow him the chance to play in Japan, he may look to take up a permanent rugby contract in Europe - which would mean he would be lost to the game for good, and this would not be good for the NRL.

Benji has already won a Premiership with the Tigers in 2005, and of course was a part of that Kiwis team that won the World Cup, so in all honesty there's not a whole lot left for Benji to accomplish in the game. But we still feel he has a lot to offer the game in the NRL, and it would be a real shame to see him go.

Unfortunately, we feel he'll end up leaving the game to take up the big dollars in European rugby, because we don't see any club in the NRL wanting to risk such a valuable asset by allowing him to play union in Japan.

Although, if any club was willing to take that risk it could be a good way of getting the services of one of the most exciting players in the game as of 2010, when his Tigers contract expires...