Sacked Wallabies star James O’Connor is bound for the UK and expected to officially link with English rugby union club London Irish on Tuesday.
O’Connor, who had his contract with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) terminated, has been strongly linked with a short-term deal to play with Irish.
The 23-year-old utility back tweeted he was “London bound for a few months to play some rugby” and posted a photo of himself on a plane.
The club is expected to announce the deal within the next 24 hours.
O’Connor’s ARU contract was terminated after a disciplinary investigation found he had failed to “uphold the behavioural and cultural standards expected within the team”.
It came after an incident in which he was escorted from Perth Airport for drunken behaviour, the morning after he played on the wing in the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship win against Argentina.
Wallabies coach Ewan McKenzie said on Monday he did not know details of any potential move but said O’Connor would need to return to Super Rugby next year if he wanted to win his way back into the Test side.
“He’s made his own decisions … I’ve had a lot of discussions with him about what I think’s important but, ultimately, he’s in his shoes and he’s got to make decisions about his life,” McKenzie said ahead of Australia’s clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday.
“I’ve encouraged him: whatever decision you make, make it the right decision.
“… I don’t know what a few months is. He’s got to be playing Super Rugby in Australia to be in the mix (for Wallabies selection).”
O’Connor had attracted interest from several European clubs and would be a significant coup for London Irish.
“He’s a world-class player, he’s a terrific kid and I’m sure that will all be unveiled at the front end of this week,” the club’s boss Brian Smith said.
“Any team in England or in France would be lucky to have him.”
The player said in a statement last week: “I have decided that I will be moving overseas next month as part of a short-term playing contract.
“I am in final discussions with several clubs and will announce the new partnership in coming days.
“I believe the move, for a few months, will be beneficial for me to develop in a different environment and help me to be the best rugby player and person that I can be.
“It will also ensure that I continue playing professional rugby immediately and not wait until early in the new year to resume competition.
“I want to give myself every opportunity to get back into the Wallabies side and to represent Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.”
