Toulouse scrum-half Luke Burgess has confirmed he is set to return to Australia at the end of the season.
Burgess was contracted to the French giants until May 2014 but has secured early release and is heading back Down Under.
Melbourne Rebels are leading the chase for his signature, with Nick Phipps quitting the franchise for NSW Waratahs.
The 37-cap scrum-half could even feature against the Lions in the summer. Warren Gatland’s men face Australia in the first Test on June 22 and face the Rebels in Melbourne three days later.
"I am going to leave. I have another opportunity," said Burgess.
"It's hard to work in another language, but that's not an excuse. It's a challenge that I appreciate.
"The rucks are different, the refereeing is different, that's true. But I have learned a lot playing in Europe."
Meanwhile fellow Wallaby Adam Ashley Cooper has also put pen to paper. The versatile back turned down offers from around the world to commit to the Gold and Green in a deal that keeps him Down Under until after the 2015 World Cup.
And the 28-year-old Waratahs ace, who has won 77 caps since his debut in 2005, insists he has plenty left to achieve on both the international and Super Rugby stage.
"I'm not done yet," Ashley-Cooper.
"I'd like another crack at the Rugby World Cup if I can. I wouldn't mind winning Super Rugby either."
Cooper is determined to help Australia claim back-to-back series wins over the Lions and that is not the only goal on the horizon.
"Everyone is excited about what is coming up this year with the Lions tour, but there's a World Cup not that far away now, and goals like the Rugby Championship and especially the Bledisloe Cup in between.
"I'd hate to finish my time with the Wallabies having not had the experience of winning the Bledisloe.”
