Larkham desperate to keep Pocock

Stephen Larkham has made it strikingly clear he doesn’t want to lose David Pocock, who will play against the Reds in his first match since the World Cup. “All of the (Wallabies) coaches were in agreeance after the World Cup that we felt we couldn’t win a game if David Pocock wasn’t on the field,” Larkham said.

Pocock's possible sabbatical year to study in the UK in 2017 is thought to be part of a flexible new deal with the ARU through to the 2019 World Cup. It is now believed he may also play a short stint overseas as well, although Brumbies CEO Michael Jones has said that the club won’t offer him that year off.