Troubled Reds playmaker Quade Cooper has been cleared to play in next week's Super 14 season-opener against the Waratahs after completing the first stage of an intensive counselling and personal development program.
Cooper, who was a revelation for the Wallabies on the recent Grand Slam tour, starting in all four northern hemisphere Tests, faces criminal charges over an alleged burglary on the Gold Coast in December.
The 21-year-old has been training with his team-mates for several weeks but it was unclear when the talented playmaker would be allowed to return to the field.
But in a major boost for the Reds, a meeting of power brokers from the ARU, QRU and players' association on Tuesday night, unanimously agreed that Cooper had shown the necessary level of commitment to warrant a return to the field.
"Quade has done everything we required of him since he agreed to begin the program on December 18 and has earned the privilege to again be considered for selection," ARU high performance boss David Nucifora said in a statement.
"However Quade is also aware that we will continue to closely monitor his performance in the program."
"Quade has reflected on his past behaviour and recognised that the responsibility for any problems lies with him."
"He has also acknowledged that the ongoing program and counselling has given him a deeper appreciation of the privilege that he enjoys in being able to represent his state and his country and that he will do all he can to avoid putting that at risk."
"We also want to make it clear this is simply a starting point for Quade. This will be an ongoing process but we are pleased with his progress to date."
QRU CEO Jim Carmichael added: "Quade being permitted to take the field again alongside his team-mates is recognition for him that he is on the right track."
"We feel that the discipline of the professional team environment plus the other support programs that are in place will give him the best opportunity to make better decisions about his life."
"This also allows the organisation to have a strong influence over those decisions."
Cooper will front a disciplinary tribunal formed by QRU under the ARU Code of Conduct after the matter has been dealt with in the courts.
Meanwhile, Cooper will be joined by fellow Wallabies James Horwill and Digby Ioane in the Reds' final pre-season trial match on Friday against the Western Force in Perth.
In a surprise move by coach Ewen McKenzie, Reds captain Horwill will switch from lock to blindside flanker for the match, with Adam Byrnes partnering Van Humphries in the second row.
Ioane will play at outside centre against the Force, with Anthony Faingaa as his inside centre partner and Rod Davies and Luke Morahan on the wings.
Cooper will slot in at flyhalf, outside fellow Wallaby and scrumhalf Will Genia, who has been named vice-captain for the match.
Former Wallaby prop Greg Holmes returns from a rib injury to play at loosehead prop, while young hooker James Hanson gets his first crack at a starting spot.