Kurtley Beale will leave English club Wasps after only  one season to return to the Waratahs on a two-year contract.

Beale joined Wasps at the conclusion of the 2016 Super Rugby campaign and has been influential in their rise to the top of the English Premiership standings. But on Thursday, both Wasps and the Waratahs confirmed the 28-year-old's return to Australian rugby next season.

Beale's decision to rejoin with the Waratahs comes after recent conversations with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who convinced the player he could play a central part for Australia in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup.

'This has been a hard decision because of how much I've enjoyed my time at Wasps. I grew as a player and a person during my experience here. But I signed a one-year deal from the outset to enable me to keep me option open,' said Beale.

'To be able to wear the Wallabies jersey again would be the greatest privilege, and at this stage of my career I want to give myself the best opportunity of representing Australia at the World Cup. The vision Cheik has for the Wallabies is really exciting, and that is something I want to be part of and contribute to.'

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