Magne, who has 77 caps for Les Blues, is contracted with the French side until June 2005.

A two-year extension is almost agreed, but the player wants certain assurances before signing again. The club have recently had a high turnover of players and staff.

My wish is to stay with Montferrand, Magne insisted.

I've had a few discussions with (coach) Alain Hyardet and the managers, and I felt they are also willing to keep me.

I want to extend my contract by two years until 2007 because I would like to prepare for the 2007 World Cup (held in France) in a serene atmosphere.

But I have also asked to put in place guarantees to stop the chaos the club has been experiencing for the past two years.

We have to start back from scratch with a different sporting policy.

Despite domestic failings this term - they finished a poor seventh in their Top 16 pool 1 - Montferrand could get their hands on the Parker Pen Challenge Cup title if they beat Harlequins in Reading on May 22.