Wallabies duo Adam Ashley-Cooper and Benn Robinson have thrown their support behind a push for Kane Douglas to return to the NSW Waratahs in time for the Rugby World Cup.
The 25-year-old lock forward made the shock decision to forfeit his place in the Wallabies side last May to move to Irish powerhouse Leinster on a lucrative three-year contract.
Wallabies great Simon Poidevin this week led calls for the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and the Waratahs to engineer a way of luring Douglas back so he could be a part of the World Cup squad in the UK later this year.
Current ARU guidelines prevent players based overseas playing for the Wallabies and CEO Bill Pulver has maintained that stance won't change.
However, Waratahs and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is believed to be keen to follow a similar path to New Zealand, who allowed All Blacks superstar Dan Carter to have sabbatical season in France in 2009.
Cheika was outraged the ARU didn't try harder to keep a player that was Australia's premier second-rower last year and an integral part of the Waratahs side that won a first Super Rugby crown.
The Waratahs open the defence of their title on Sunday against a Western Force side that boasts an excellent pack and prop Benn Robinson acknowledged Douglas' departure is a huge blow.
"It was a massive loss Kane going overseas," Robinson said.
"I've seen reports about the ARU looking at different ways of contracting and potentially having players who don't play in Super Rugby playing in internationals.
"I think it's disappointing with a player like Kane, who is still really young and was progressing so well.
"I know he loves being here with NSW but I guess we'll just see how it goes with their contracting."
Vastly experienced Waratahs and Australia outside back Adam Ashley-Cooper, who'll play rugby for Bordeaux after the World Cup, said he'd love to see Douglas back in a Wallabies shirt after Leinster conclude their season in May.
"Personally I miss his him in the change rooms," Ashley-Cooper said.
"He provides a lot of banter and chat and that's very important in a teammate.
"On the field he brings physicality, he's a big presence not only set-piece wise but he's capable of pulling off those game-changing hits and he carries the ball really well.
"Any team would want to have him in their side. If there's a campaign to bring 'Dougie' back then sign me up."
Waratahs attack coach Daryl Gibson is the early front-runner to replace Cheika, who'll focus solely on the Wallabies at the end of this season, and believes it's important the sport stops losing young players to European clubs.
"With 'Cheik' involved he'll certainly be more active in contracting at national level and wanting back a number of those players we have lost to overseas," Gibson said.
"I think for the health of the game in Australia that's critical.
"I hope the key thing is the lure of the Wallaby jersey and if 'Cheik' can turn the ship around and make Australia a winning team then more players will stay in this country.
"Kane had an incredible season for us last year and he's the kind of player we are going to miss."
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