Rugby Union: Aussie ace nearing Reds return

Cooper copped criticism from Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal early in his stint at Toulon, when the boss said switching from former pivot Jonny Wilkinson to Cooper was as difficult as going from "foie gras to pate".

While Cooper is expected to return to the Reds, with whom he won a Super Rugby title in 2011, the Melbourne Rebels are also understood to be interested in his services.

The pair played out a fierce battle for the Wallabies flyhalf spot last season and Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley says he'd welcome the return of Quade Cooper to Australia.

Time will tell where Cooper is going to end up, but the ultimate goal is playing for the Wallabies, so it will more than likely be in Australia somewhere.

Australia fly-half Quade Cooper looks set to return to Super Rugby outfit the Reds after just one season with French side Toulon.

"There's no question that Nick's performances, his efforts in his games have always been there, that's something that never changes", Foley said.

"You can't really blame the halfback there, he's doing the best he can to get those passes away". "The competition is good for Australian rugby".

Cooper first joined the club at the end of 2015 where he had declared he would stay in Australia to chase a Rugby sevens berth at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, but eventually announced he would be headed to Europe with a clause in his contract allowing him to play if he was selected. "In all the training last year we had that great competition and we had two 15s running against [each other]", he said. I will miss my brothers and family that I now have in Toulon...See you soon.