THE wheels are in motion for Wallabies great Adam Ashley-Cooper to return home to Australia and have a crack at playing in his fourth Rugby World Cup next year.

Foxsports.com.au understands that the 34-year-old veteran of 116 Tests wants to play his rugby in Australia next season and is in serious talks with the Waratahs and the Force.

Ashley-Cooper, who last played for the Wallabies in 2016, is currently playing for the Kobe Steelers in the Japanese Top League.

Thanks to the ‘Giteau Law,’ Ashley-Cooper is eligible for Test selection despite being based overseas but a return to Australia puts him firmly in coach Michael Cheika’s shop window.

And with the World Cup to be held in Japan in 2019, the Top League is scheduled to finish early on December 15 this year, allowing local players to better prepare for next year’s global showpiece.

Therefore Ashley-Cooper is believed to be keen on a one year deal with an Australian club and the Waratahs and Force are in the frame.

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Dean Mumm, Adam Ashley-Cooper and David Pocock after beating England in 2015. Photo: Stuart Walmsley. Source: Supplied

Foxsports.com.au understands that the Force — booted from Super Rugby but bankrolled by Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest — can offer the superior financial package.

But NSW, Ashley-Cooper’s former club, are believed to be in the box seat due to a better rugby situation in preparation for a World Cup.

The Force are currently running their own ‘World Series Rugby’ competition.

Ashley-Cooper was an integral member of the Waratahs’ 2014 Super Rugby title-winning team before taking up contracts in France then Japan.

Ashley-Cooper could not be reached for comment but foxsports.com.au understands that the Waratahs like the idea of adding his leadership and versatility to their squad as they attempt to improve on this year’s semifinal finish.

The departures of Taqele Naiyaravoro, Andrew Kellaway and Irae Simone has freed up some room in the Waratahs’ salary cap although they are yet to confirm new deals for star Wallabies Bernard Foley and Israel Folau.

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And while the popular Ashley-Cooper will be 35 by the time the World Cup kicks off next September, Wallabies boss Cheika would also be intrigued by his value to a squad, in the same way that Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell contributed to the 2015 campaign.

Capable of playing in the centres, on the wing or at fullback, Ashley-Cooper sits behind only George Gregan (139) and Stephen Moore (129) as the most capped Wallabies player of all time.

He is also third (37) on Australia’s all time tryscoring list behind David Campese (64) and Chris Latham (40) and equal fifth (11) in World Cup try scorers from any nation.

In 2017, Ashley-Cooper told the Sunday Telegraph that he hadn’t retired from international rugby and competing at a fourth World Cup remained a goal.

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Adam Ashley-Cooper of the Waratahs celebrates scoring a try in the 2014 Super Rugby final. Source: Getty Images

“I never made any decision to finish up,” Ashley-Cooper said.

“I am just kind of sitting there not out at the moment, waiting for the next innings.

“The fire is still burning there for sure, and there is obviously that 2019 World Cup down the track.

“To get to four World Cups, I reckon that would be a pretty special achievement and something I could be pretty proud of.

“But that’s a long way away.

“I realise there is a good depth of talent there at the moment so it is not like there is any guarantee of selection in a Wallaby squad.”

Former Wallabies captain George Gregan is the only Australian to have played at four World Cups.