Elsom tipped to sign ARU contract

ROCKY ELSOM will return to Australia from Ireland after agreeing to terms with the Australian Rugby Union, according to a report in today’s The Australian.

The Wallaby flanker, described by Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll as the best player he had ever been on a field with, will turn out for the Barbarians against the Wallabies in Sydney on June 6. There has been conjecture whether Elsom would return to Australia or remain with Leinster, but a source said he had agreed to return home.

As soon as Elsom signs an ARU contract that will take him through to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, he will be eligible for inclusion in the Wallabies squad for the inbound internationals against Italy and France.