Wallabies star Quade Cooper is expected to confirm on Monday he’s pressing on with a foray into the world of boxing.

Cooper has been considering his future during the past week after the Australian Rugby Union offered him a downgraded, incentive-based contract.

The ARU offer came after a difficult season in which Cooper battled with injury while also being heavily fined for referring to the Wallabies as a “toxic environment”.

If he does not agree terms with the ARU, Cooper’s current deal will lapse at the end of this year and the sport’s governing body would be powerless to stop him fighting.

Cooper is scheduled to appear alongside Sonny Bill Williams in Brisbane on Monday, when the latter will confirm the date of his forthcoming heavyweight clash with South Africa’s Francois Botha.

The fight is mooted to be some time in February.

Cooper will address speculation about the ARU’s offer and make a statement regarding his future, which AAP understands includes a spot on the Williams undercard.

The identity of Cooper’s opponent is unknown, while track athlete John Steffensen has been mooted as a possibility there is a significant weight difference between them.

Queensland Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael has spoken of his desire to keep Cooper in the 15-man game.

Carmichael and Cooper, who is also due to attend Reds’ training on Monday, were in talks for much of the past week, culminating in a lunch on Sunday.

Whether Carmichael and the QRU are sympathetic to Cooper’s desire to box is unclear but his contract with Queensland is contingent on his signing a national contract.

The Reds play Super Rugby matches on February 16 and 23, meaning Cooper faces a tricky ask fitting the bout into his schedule if he’s to remain with Queensland.