Waratahs and Wallabies lock Kane Douglas set to miss Rugby World Cup after joining Irish club Leinster

AUSTRALIAN rugby is set to lose a key second-rower before the World Cup, with Waratahs star Kane Douglas finalising a deal to join Irish club Leinster.

Kane Douglas has reportedly signed for Leinster in Ireland.

AUSTRALIAN rugby is set to lose a key second-rower before the World Cup, with Waratahs star Kane Douglas finalising a deal to join Irish club Leinster at the end of the season.

Douglas has not signed yet, but is finalising his release with the ARU and once that is complete he will formally announce his departure.

The 14-Test lock has had a stellar season with NSW so far in Super Rugby and at just 24, will be a big loss for the Wallabies, who are low in depth on talented, Test-ready second-rowers.

Douglas is off contract this year and if the cash-strapped ARU does not make a significant counter-offer to Leinster’s deal, he will be heading off-shore.

Kane Douglas runs the ball for the Waratahs against the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium.

Douglas would join a host of Wallabies overseas, headlined by incumbent Test captain Ben Mowen who will leave for France at the end of the year.

Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Berrick Barnes and Digby Ioane are just some of the big-name talent plying their trade outside Australia, while James O’Connor is looking to return home but has yet to line up a deal with a Super Rugby club.

Another young lock, Melbourne’s Hugh Pyle, had been touted as a future Wallaby but will also leave for France at the end of the year.