Parramatta Eels launch bid to poach Matt Scott from the North Queensland Cowboys

PARRAMATTA have launched a one-two punch combination to steal Matt Scott from North Queensland.

PARRAMATTA have launched a one-two punch combination to steal Matt Scott from North Queensland.

After narrowly missing out on James Tamou last month, the cashed-up Eels have now turned their focus to his Cowboys and Kangaroos front-row partner.

South Sydney are also in the market for Scott, who has become one of the competition's elite props since making his Origin debut in 2006.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Eels coach Ricky Stuart had a meeting with Scott and his manager, Wayne Beavis, on the Gold Coast over the Christmas break.

The 27-year-old is on track to become a one-club player at the Cowboys, but Tamou's retention will make it tough for North Queensland to keep him from a host of suitors.

Scott will command around $600,000 a season at least what the Cowboys paid to extend team mate Tamou on a three-year deal.

Whether North Queensland are prepared to plough such a large chunk of their salary cap into front rowers remains to be seen, particularly after re-signing boom bookend James Taumalolo last year.

The club also has a host of stars off contract, headed by co-captain Johnathan Thurston, who is certain attract offers of $1 million a year in the wake of interest from Penrith, Canterbury and Newcastle. Matt Bowen, Brent Tate, Dallas Johnson and Glenn Hall are the club's other high-profile free agents.

Jarryd Hayne and Ricky Stuart

Conversely, Parramatta's only off-contract superstar is fullback Jarryd Hayne. Negotiations to extend Hayne  who is also managed by Beavis  kicked-off in early December.

Stuart last night said his Gold Coast talks with Beavis was primarily about Hayne, but confirmed an interest in Scott after meeting the Cowboys co-captain face-to-face.

"We were up there for an ongoing discussion about Jarryd Hayne,'' Stuart said. "Matt Scott came along as well. I think any club would be interested in great players like him.''

Having eased their three-quarter dilemma with the signing of Beau Champion on a highly cost-effective deal this week, South Sydney view Scott as a potential replacement for veteran prop Roy Asotasi.

Following a clean-out over the past two years, the Eels are in position to launch a rich bids for game's best talents.

Stuart has identified prop and five eighth as two priority areas, with pivot Ben Roberts needing a huge season to earn a new contract after last year's disappointment.

Cronulla No. 6 Todd Carney is understood to be on Parramatta's radar, along with St George Illawarra and New Zealand Warriors.