Doust's comments come as Dragons captain Mark Gasnier is believed to be days away from signing a big-money contract with French rugby side Stade Francais.

Gasnier yesterday denied he had agreed to terms with the French club, saying: "There'll be a resolution hopefully sooner rather than later, but as yet nothing's done."

While he would not make a direct comment on Gasnier's situation, Doust believes a fresh approach could stop a potential exodus of top NRL talent to cashed-up European clubs.

"I've spoken about letting these players play both (rugby and NRL) - I don't think a first-class athlete really needs the pre-season we put them through. Why can't they play both?" Doust said.

"I think that we've got to be a bit more flexible in the way that we treat these athletes."

Doust said he had spoken to NRL CEO David Gallop about the idea, believing it could resolve Gasnier's contractual problems and keep him at the Dragons.

A shortfall in third party sponsorship money - believed to be worth up to one million dollars - has seen Gasnier look into opting out of his deal at the Dragons and moving to the lucrative French rugby competition.

Former Australian halfback Craig Gower is already playing rugby union in France and, during the week, Penrith winger Luke Rooney was lost to the NRL, signing a rich two-year deal with French club Toulon.

Doust wouldn't comment on the result of his meeting with Gallop but suggested that salary-cap rules were standing in the way of the potential solution.

"The salary-cap regulations don't allow somebody to play French rugby union and NRL in the same contractual year, I believe" he said.

Gallop said considerations had to be made for player welfare and that allowing players under contact to play in Europe would need to be looked at on a "case by case basis".