A foundation Brumbies squad member, Harrison will begin training with his former club this morning ahead of a return to the field in the 2010 Super14 season. His recruitment will be officially announced today.

Harrison quit English club Bath early this year after refusing an internal drug test. He was later found guilty of misconduct by the governing Rugby Football Union after he admitted to using cocaine at an end-of-season party. As the incident was out of competition, it did not constitute a performance-enhancing drug offence.

Having announced his retirement from rugby in disgrace, Harrison soon changed his mind, deciding he wanted to continue his professional career.

Despite strong opposition from the Australian Rugby Union, the Brumbies last week offered Harrison a contract as a replacement for the injured Peter Kimlin ahead of Harrison's suspension ending in January.

Harrison told The Canberra Times yesterday he would be eternally grateful to the club for giving him a chance to redeem himself after his ''act of stupidity''.

''I'm forthright in admitting my mistake, I was forthright with the RFU panel and I've completely accepted my suspension,'' Harrison said.

''I'm fortunate enough to be given an opportunity to rectify some of the damage I've done to myself, although I don't think I'll ever completely do that, but more importantly to reconcile the image I carry and the enormous responsibility I carry as a professional athlete.''

Harrison's career has been tainted by other controversies, most notably when he was suspended for making a racist slur against South African opponent Chumani Booi while playing for the NSW Waratahs.

Despite these episodes and his advanced age for a professional player, Brumbies coach Andy Friend insisted Harrison would contribute to the club on the field and also be a good off-field role model.