LEINSTER HAVE CONFIRMED that second row Kane Douglas has been called up to the Australia training squad as he seeks selection for the upcoming Rugby Championship and World Cup.
Zane Kirchner has also been called into South Africa’s extended playing group as he looks to earn a World Cup place.
Leinster say the Australian Rugby Union made a request for Douglas’ release under World Rugby Regulation 9, which is intended to ensure ongoing primacy for international rugby.
Australia coach Michael Cheika’s decision to turn to Douglas goes against the current ARU eligibility rules, even after the recent tweak that saw Europe-based Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell recalled.
Both Toulon backs have won more than 60 Test caps, which the ARU has stated as a minimum threshold for any player to be selected when based outside Australia. Douglas currently has 14 caps for Australia.
The second row, who has an excellent relationship with Cheika after winning the 2014 Super Rugby title under the former Leinster boss, will now attempt to push his way back into selection contention with the Wallabies.
The fact that Australia have made a request under Regulation 9 suggests that Douglas’ chances of playing in the World Cup are strong.
If the 26-year-old is involved, Leinster will be deprived of yet another player during the World Cup period, as they prepare to lose somewhere in the region of 18 Irishmen to Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad for August, September and October.
Similarly, a permanent call-up for 29-times capped Springbok Kirchner would shear the Leinster squad of an experienced player during that testing time of the 2015/16 season.
It is believed that there has been a strong effort from Australia to lure former Waratahs lock Douglas home permanently, but Leinster this afternoon underlined that the Wallaby has another two years on his contract in Ireland and that they expect him to return after his international commitments.
Douglas underwent back surgery as recently as April, although it’s understood that the procedure was successful and that the second row is already on the road to recovery. That path now leads him back to Australia to prepare for the Rugby Championship.
“We are delighted for Kane and wish him well as he seeks the form and fitness required for selection for the Rugby Championship and, of course, the Rugby World Cup after that,” team manager Guy Easterby told LeinsterRugby.ie.
“Zane Kirchner is also in the initial South African squad and likewise we wish him well. It reflects very positively on Leinster Rugby when we have players selected for national squads.
“Our players should aspire to play at as high a level as possible, whether that be with Ireland or with their home nation.
“We have been in discussions with the Australian Rugby Union and with Kane for a few weeks now and we have made our position very clear. Kane is contracted to Leinster Rugby for another two seasons and we look forward to welcoming him back when his commitments with the ARU come to an end.”
There is a sense that the Douglas issue is not totally at an end, particularly with Cheika remaining such a strong fan of the second row.
For now, Leinster’s interim head coach Leo Cullen must deal with the frustration of potentially losing two players who would have been crucial during the World Cup period.
