Cooper turns his back on Australia

Injured Wallaby playmaker Quade Cooper has turned his back on Australia.

It was confirmed on Friday that the flyhalf had signed a two-year deal with big-spending French club Toulon.

The French Top 14 and European Cup champions posted pictures of Cooper in a Toulon jersey, posing with club owner Mourad Boudjellal.

The New Zealand-born player, who is currently sidelined with a fractured scapula, will join up with the club at the completion of the Super Rugby season.

Cooper will join fellow luminaries Ma'a Nonu, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell at the French glamour club.

It remains to be seen whether he will play in this year's World Cup, as he has another month or so before he returns from injury.

The Australian Rugby Union has set a 60-Test and seven-year threshold for players playing abroad to qualify for Wallaby selection.

Given that he has only 53 Test caps, he may just to rely on qualifying through the seven-year deal - given that he made his Test debut in 2008.

Statement on the Toulon website: "Le demi d'ouverture polyvalent australien Quade Cooper (27 ans, 52 sélections, 1m86, 86 kg) s'est engagé avec le Rugby Club Toulonnais pour les deux prochaines saisons.

"Quade Cooper, actuellement aux Queensland Reds et vainqueur du Tri Nations et du Super 15 en 2011, rejoindra la rade dès cet été."