Higginbotham joins Cooper, Moore in returning to Reds

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) Former Wallabies backrower Scott Higginbotham has signed a three-year deal to rejoin the Queensland Reds next season following completion of his contract in Japan.

Higginbotham's return was confirmed Wednesday when the Reds released their Super Rugby squad for 2017. The 32-test veteran will join playmaker Quade Cooper and Australia captain Stephen Moore among the players returning to Queensland.

Former Brumbies backrower and 111-test veteran George Smith and Leroy Houston are among the other backrowers in the 38-man squad.

New head coach Nick Stiles said: ''We have managed to retain the best young talent in Queensland, while also recruiting some of the most experienced players in Australian Rugby. It's an exciting squad with experienced, hardened forwards and skillful backs as well as strong ball runners.''