Bordeaux - Bordeaux-Begles announced on Wednesday that Australia forward Scott Higginbotham will join the club on a two-year deal.

Back-rower Higginbotham, 32, hasn't played for the Wallabies since June 2017 and faces tough competition to feature at this year's World Cup.

The 34-time international has turned out for Super Rugby franchises the Reds and the Rebels as well as Japan's NEC Green Rockets.

Higginbotham joins a lengthy list of Wallabies leaving Australia after the World Cup which includes experienced forwards Sekope Kepu and Adam Coleman and exciting backs in Sefa Naivalu and Curtis Rona.

Controversial figure Israel Folau will not feature in Japan later this year after he was sacked after making homophobic comments on social media.

Higginbotham is the French club's final signing ahead of next season, joining Argentina winger Santiago Cordero and France lock Alexandre Flanquart as new arrivals.