The embattled Wests Tigers club has been hit with the incredible news that a Balmain faction of the franchise wants out of the joint venture.

Balmain director Garry Leo made the extraordinary claim that he and others wanted out.

“I really believe the time has come for us to step aside and resurrect the Balmain Tigers,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“We’ve got more of a following than the Wests side of the merger. To be honest, we have lost faith in them. We’re getting Leichhardt Oval upgraded and we could play there every second week. If we can find the right backers, we want a shot at returning to the NRL.

“I don’t think the NRL would continue to allow the Wests Tigers to operate with the Tigers name without any involvement from Balmain.

“I really do believe the NRL competition needs a Tigers team. And not the Wests Tigers.”

The Balmain Tigers own just 10% of Wests Tigers.