Nic White set for test recall
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Exeter Chiefs' scrumhalf Nic White is set to make his return to test rugby later this year and could be on the plane to Japan with the Wallabies.
The halfback is poised to sign a deal with Rugby Australia that will see him immediately become eligible for the 2019 Cup campaign, although due to contractual obligations with his English club Exeter, he is unlikely to become available in Super Rugby until 2021.
The news comes as a huge boost for the Wallabies during and after World Cup with Nick Phipps leaving after this season to join London Irish, while Will Genia is tipped to sign a contract extension with RA with a clause allowing him to play in Japan’s Top League in 2020.
The 28-year-old has met with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika in England recently and was urged to consider returning to Australia with Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter confirming that his side will be without White during the World Cup.
Rob Baxter confirms @ExeterChiefs to be without Nic White during RWC as he will likely be playing for @qantaswallabies. White then to sign for a Super Rugby team at the end of 19/20 campaign
— Howard Lloyd (@howard_lloyd) April 27, 2019
Cheika left White out of his World Cup squad in England, so if picked this will be White’s first World Cup. White played 22 Tests for the Wallabies between 2013-15, the last of which coming against the All Blacks in the build up to the 2015 World Cup.
White is expected to rejoin his former franchise, the Brumbies, after seeing out his contract with Exeter and is likely to fill the final halfback spot in the Wallabies squad with Genia and Phipps being Cheika's prefferred options.
