Wallabies' post-World Cup exodus

Australia's post-World Cup exodus to Europe gained further momentum with the news that veteran lock and former captain James Horwill will also head for the exit door.

This follows the news that Waratah veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper has signed a two-year contract with leading French club Bordeaux Begles.

Horwill will join English club Harlequins from the Reds after the 2015 World Cup.

The 29-year-old has agreed a three-year contract with Harlequins.

Horwill has played 58 times for Australia, captaining the side on 16 of those occasions, including during the 2011 World Cup campaign.

He also captained the Australian side which faced the British and Irish Lions in 2013.

At franchise level, Horwill has played over 100 times for the Reds and in 2011 he captained the team to their maiden Super Rugby title.

Confirming the signing Harlequins Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea said: "I'm delighted that we've attracted someone of James' standing in the game to play for us following the completion of the World Club next year.

"James is known around the world not only for his uncompromising style of play but also for his strength of character.

"He will be an asset for us on the field and within the changing room."

David Ellis, CEO of Harlequins, said: "James will be hugely popular with our supporters, who respect his achievements in the game with the Reds and Australia.

"We are grateful to the Board and management of Queensland who have worked with us to ensure that James' transition to European Rugby after next year's World Cup is as smooth as possible. We look forward to welcoming James to The Stoop later next year."

Horwill added: "As hard as it will be to leave Ballymore, my team mates, the staff and all my fans and friends in Queensland, I've been offered a fantastic opportunity with Harlequins to experience rugby in another part of the world and this is right for me at this stage of my rugby career.

"I'm completely committed to helping the Reds and Australia achieve success in this World Cup year and then I'll turn my attention to the next chapter of my life in rugby with Harlequins."

He is currently the most-capped Queensland captain, having led the Reds on 69 occasions.

A modern-day champion of the Reds Horwill will make the 2015 Super Rugby season his 10th and his last and is determined to achieve success when he pulls on the Reds jersey for the final time next year.

"The Reds have been my life for many years," Horwill said.

"I grew up supporting them, I've had the honour of representing Queensland on over 100 occasions and also the privilege of captaining my State, including winning the Super Rugby title – a day I will never forget.

"As hard as it will be to leave Ballymore, my teammates, the staff and all my fans and friends in Queensland, I've been offered a fantastic opportunity with Harlequins to experience the game in another part of the world and this is right for me at this stage of my Rugby career.

"I'm completely committed to helping the Reds and Australia achieve success in this World Cup year and then I'll turn my attention to the next chapter of my life in Rugby with Harlequins," Horwill added.

Queensland Rugby CEO Jim Carmichael paid tribute to Horwill as a player and a man and said he would be leaving the Reds at the end of the 2015 season with the blessing of the club and all its followers.

"James has given everything for the Reds and is one of the great modern-day sporting treasures of Queensland," Carmichael said.

"I was privileged to be in the changing rooms in New Zealand last year when James received his 100th Reds cap from our Chairman Rod McCall. The emotion in the words he delivered to his teammates that reminded me how lucky Australia has been to have someone of James' calibre in its ranks in recent years.

"James and Queensland have been working together toward this announcement for a number of months and we have discussed this decision in detail as James seeks a smooth transition to the next stage of his career.

"I'm pleased James has chosen Harlequins, who are steeped in the history and traditions of our game and with whom the Queensland Reds enjoy an excellent relationship.

"I'm sure our players and fans will ensure that James' last season with the Reds is one we will all remember in years to come," Carmichael said.