Cooper to stay in Australia

Quade Cooper’s future has been the subject of speculation for weeks but a conclusion now appears to be around the corner.

 The entertaining fly-half is set to stay in Australia for the next four years, according to reports on Sunday.

 Cooper will spend the next year as part of Australia’s Sevens programme in the build-up to the Olympic Games in Rio, although they are yet to qualify.

 After that Cooper plans to return to Super Rugby for three years through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

 Cooper was pictured in a Toulon shirt earlier this year next to Mourad Boudjellal after signing for the European champions, meaning that either he or the Australian Rugby Union have had to buy Cooper out of his high-profile move to France.

 The 27-year-old started for the Wallabies in their 24-20 win over South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday and head coach Michael Cheika will be delighted to see Cooper turn his back on a move overseas.