Dragons prop Jason Ryles is set to announce this will be his last season in the NRL - but there was fresh hope last night teammate Mark Gasnier won't leave to play rugby union in France.

While Gasnier called off a meeting with NRL chief executive David Gallop yesterday to avoid a "media circus", Ryles was weighing up a sizeable offer to join Super League club Catalans after the Dragons said they would allow him to "explore the option" of walking out on the final two years of his contract.

"To say something has been done would be premature," Catalans coach Kevin Walters said. "We've had a discussion with him and I'll be talking to the club tonight. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm very keen about getting him into our system."

While incoming coach Wayne Bennett is a fan of Ryles, having coached him at international level, it is understood Bennett believes the departure of the former Kangaroos and NSW front-rower would free funds under the salary cap to pursue other players - in particular Storm back-rower Jeremy Smith and Queensland and Broncos winger Darius Boyd.

Ryles, who is in the first year of a three-year deal and under consideration for Blues selection for next month's Origin decider, met his manager George Mimis yesterday and was last night weighing up his options.

"We've had very open dialogue with the Dragons and they've acknowledged that they are happy for him to explore that option," Mimis said.

Dragons chief executive Peter Doust denied this would be Ryles's last season at the joint venture but suggested the club would not stand in his way if he wanted to sign a contract in Europe.

"There's been plenty of speculation about Jason's future all season," Doust said. "He was going to Cronulla a few months ago, now this has come up. Catalans has been very active in the market, especially since Kevin Walters was appointed coach [for next season].

"We're prepared to let him explore his options because these days you have to."

While some Dragons officials believe this will be Ryles's last season in the NRL, there was renewed optimism about Gasnier staying - at least for another year.

The NSW centre is being heavily courted by French rugby club Biarritz and is expected to be a target for Paris glamour club Stade Francais should former NSW Waratahs mentor Ewen McKenzie sign as coach in the next few days.

Gasnier's decision to abandon a meeting with Gallop only fuelled speculation a deal had been done. So, too, an announcement that he will front a media conference with coach Nathan Brown this morning. But there were firm indications last night Gasnier would not walk out at least until the end of next season.

Gasnier has an escape clause in his contract that allows him to re-negotiate his position at the club during each season of his five-year deal. He has been aggressively looking at other options after lucrative third-party deals worth $1 million did not materialise.

"There is nothing more to add about Mark Gasnier," Doust said. "I'm seeking to resolve the situation as soon as possible and all I can say is that our discussions have been productive."

Meanwhile, back-rower Ben Te'o is almost certain to leave Wests Tigers at the end of the season. But the club yesterday re-signed another forward officials said "could be anything".

While Te'o is believed to have decided he won't be at the club next year, officials have moved quickly to ensure the same does not happen to another of their promising back-rowers.

Daine Laurie, 23, who stands 198cm and weighs 112kg, did not even play league last year but his performances in the NSW Cup for Western Suburbs convinced officials to sign him to a two-year deal, with an option for a third.

Elsewhere, the Bulldogs' appeal against a $50,000 salary-cap breach fine has been successful, with the NRL yesterday deciding to suspend the punishment.

The NRL had fined the Bulldogs after they refused to allow salary cap auditor Ian Schubert access to the confidential file of former Bulldog Willie Mason. "It's a common-sense resolution. We're happy with it," Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg said.