Friday 14 November 2014 14:13, UK
Controversial back Kurtley Beale will join up with the Australia squad on their European tour in time for matches against Ireland and England.
Beale has not played for Australia since the Wallabies' defeat to South Africa in Cape Town on September 27.
On the flight to Argentina for their next match the following weekend, Beale had an argument with then-Wallabies business manager Di Patston, which quickly descended into a major scandal engulfing the Australian Rugby Union and leading to the resignations of Patston and Australia coach Ewen McKenzie.
Beale was fined a total of £26,200 for sending an offensive text message to Patston and sanctioned again later for being rude and disrespectful to Wallaby team management on the flight.
Beale will fly from Australia with back-row Jake Schatz who will replace the injured Scott Higginbotham in the squad.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, in France ahead of Saturday's clash with Les Bleus, said: “The players are really excited. We know they're both (Beale and Schatz) going to bring some really good enthusiasm coming into the back end of this trip."
Hooper said the players have drawn a line under the scandal involving Beale.
"We're looking forward to the weekend, we're always looking forward,” he said. “Enough's been made about all that in the past week so for us it's nice and comforting to just focus on the weekend and on the games.
"We've got France on Saturday night and Ireland next weekend, so what KB and Schatzy will bring to that is enthusiasm going into a Test situation. It's going to be really nice and a refreshing feel for the team."
ARU chief Bill Pulver, himself under pressure for his handling of the saga, warned that Beale, who previously wrestled with alcohol problems, was on notice for the final time.
Hooper believes the call-up could help Beale overcome some of his off-field problems.
"To be back involved in the group will get him positive, really happy and itching to get on the field," said Hooper.
"So once he's content off the field it all translates to on the field performances and hopefully we'll see that."
Watch France take on Australia, live on Sky Sports 4 HD from 7.30pm (GMT).
