Michael Cheika looks set to return to the Waratahs. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, citing anonymous sources, a two-year contract is being finalised and an announcement is expected this week. Nothing has been made official yet.

The former Wallabies coach led the Sydney franchise to its only Super Rugby title twelve years ago. Since then he has coached Australia, Argentina and then Leicester Tigers, whom he took to the Premiership final in 2025 before joining the Sydney Roosters in the NRL alongside Trent Robinson.

French fans knew him in a different role: Cheika was head coach of Stade Français from July 2010 to June 2012.

The Waratahs have been without a head coach since the departure of Dan McKellar, whose two seasons both ended outside the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs. The franchise has already brought in Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley. Before taking up the role, Cheika still has to lead Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup and finish the NRL season with the Roosters.