Zac Lomax is facing a 10-year ban with Parramatta confirming on Sunday the NSW State of Origin star has left the NRL.

The club issued a statement on Sunday evening announcing the club has cut ties with Lomax ahead of pre-season training.

Lomax was just one season into a four-year contract.

As first reported by Code Sports, Lomax is expected to announce his move to R360 soon as one of the rebel rugby competitions marquee signings.

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Any move to R360 would see Lomax smacked with a 10-year ban — under the tough stance taken by NRL supremo Peter V’landys against the rival code.

With a further three seasons to run on his contract through to the end of 2028, Lomax will not be allowed to sign with another NRL club until then unless given permission by the Eels.

Of course, if he ends up joining R360 that won’t matter anyway given the NRL has threatened to ban any defecting players for 10 years.

“The Parramatta Eels can confirm that Zac Lomax has been granted an immediate release from his playing contract to pursue opportunities outside the NRL,” the Eels said in a statement.

“The club would like to thank Zac for his contribution during his time with the Eels in 2025 and we wish him all the best for his future.”

According to Code Sports, it is “almost certain” the 29-year-old will be playing the 15-man game.

While he is widely tipped to move to R360 when the competition’s inaugural season begins next year, Rugby Australia remain a wildcard to pursue Lomax.

French and Japanese club rugby are the other options available to him.

Lomax will be following Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen into the murky water of R360.

Major rugby union organisations around the world have refused to sanction R360 and the ARLC has also refused to recognise it after chairman V’landys said last month it was a competition “out of a Cornflakes box”.

V’landys said the NRL will consider withdrawing 10-year bans for players if they meet exceptional circumstances if they eventually show interest in returning to the 13-man code.

“The commission has a clear duty to act in the best interests of rugby league and its fans – and we will take all necessary steps to protect the future of the game,” V’landys said.

“Unfortunately, there will always be organisations that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain. They don’t invest in pathways or the development of players – they simply exploit the hard work of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves. They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.

“Accordingly, if it all goes wrong it’s the players who suffer most. Every stakeholder must be accountable to the standards our fans expect. We’ve listened to our clubs, and we’ve acted decisively.”

R360 will kick off on October 2 in 2026 after organisers secured the required funding and players.

Founded by former England rugby player Mike Tindall, R360 is throwing eyewatering contracts at NRL players with the money on offer proving simply too good to refuse for some.

A player draft will be held in the middle of next year, with the inaugural R360 season to begin with six men’s teams, starting on October 2 and finishing before Christmas. None of the teams will be based in Australia.

The second season in 2027 would run from April to September and feature 12 rounds.

Originally published as NSW State of Origin star facing 10-year ban