The England international flanker has been the subject of interest from top clubs in France and Moody admitted that his head has been turned by the money on offer in the Top 14.

"There are big decisions to make, the security for your family, planning for the future," he told The Times. "It's a big decision. I love Leicester, I've been here since I was a boy of 14 and I've been playing in the first team since I was 17. It's my home, the place I love, and it would be a very difficult place to leave.

"But at some point in your career you have to be selfish and say, 'You have to do what's best for your family.' Sometimes that's looking at options that are out there. We'll cross that bridge when it comes."

The 32-year-old New Zealander is out of contract at the end of the season and is reportedly attracting the interest of the Blues' Magners League rivals Ulster, as well as Australia's newest Super Rugby franchise, the Melbourne Rebels.

It had been thought that Rush was a certainty to quit the Blues in the summer but he insists he has yet to decide where his future lies.

"I'm certainly not against staying in Cardiff," the Kiwi No.8 is quoted as saying by the South Wales Echo."I am looking at some different options but by no means is anything signed."

Deacon, the younger brother of Tigers captain Louis, has been at Welford Road for seven years but, as Leicester boss Richard Cockerill revealed, the flanker has grown increasingly frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities.

"Brett wants to play rugby. He has been a great servant to us and we wanted to keep him. But he wants to be first choice somewhere else," he told the Leicester Mercury. "That is credit to him. We can't guarantee him anything in terms of playing time."

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the newly-formed franchise's head coach, Rod Macqueen, are confident of signing the two Wallaby forwards for next year.

The Rebels have also been strongly linked with two more Australia internationals in the form of flanker Rocky Elsom and centre Berrick Barnes, but the paper also claims that they are also pursuing both Peter Hynes and Cameron Shepherd.