Douglas ditches Europe for Aus
The Australian Rugby Union and Queensland Reds have secured the services of 14-Test lock Kane Douglas until the end of the 2018 season.
Douglas returns home to Australia following a brief stint in the European Pro12 competition with Leinster, having played 20 matches.
Already touted as one the most gifted locks in Australian, the 26-year-old has earned 75 Super Rugby caps and was a key contributor for the Waratahs in their championship-winning 2014 campaign.
At 119kg and over 200cm, the mobile and powerful lock provides a significant long-term boost to Australias' second-row stocks, joining Will Skelton, Rob Simons and Dean Mumm on long-term deals.
"I’m very grateful to the ARU and QRU for giving me the opportunity to return home to Australia to continue my career in Queensland," said Douglas.
"It’s a really exciting time here for the game and I'm looking forward to being a part of it over the next few years.
"It’s great to see the Wallabies build some depth across the park over the past 12 months, especially at lock, and I'll be working hard to fight my way back into contention."
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika said: "It’s great to see Kane back playing in Australia for the long term."
"His return will bolster our tight five stocks and that is a strong objective of ours over the next 18 months
"Kane will join a very competitive race to the wear the number four and five jerseys within the Wallabies, with Simmons, Skelton, Horwill, Arnold, Carter and Mumm all in the mix."
"We will see how Kane is progressing physically over the next week, before considering him for any game time."
Douglas made his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs in 2010 and played his maiden Test for the Wallabies against Argentina on the Gold Coast in 2012.
The following year Douglas made a strong impression on the international scene for the Wallabies, partnering with then-captain James Horwill in the second row for all three fixtures against the British & Irish Lions.
