Overseas rugby stars could be playing for Australian Super 14 teams by next year, the Australian Rugby Union said.

The ARU board has agreed to relax the current ban on players ineligible for Wallabies selection playing with any of Australia's four Super 14 sides.

The ARU board are awaiting final details of the "foreign player policy", which is being developed in consultation with the Super 14 member unions, the Rugby Union Players' Association and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, the ARU said in a statement.

Discussions are "in progress" and a final submission will be presented to the board for approval on 5 September.

The submission will include the number of foreign players a province would be permitted to recruit.

"It was agreed the time is right to make this change," ARU chairman Peter McGrath said in the statement.

"We are moving towards transformation at Super rugby level and allowing foreign players to be involved with our teams - not for the first time - is part of that evolutionary process.

"When the game first went professional and Super 12 was launched, there was an opportunity for Australian teams to recruit overseas players.

"It proved an immensely successful venture in some instances.

"The re-introduction of foreign players will have advantages for our teams, for our fans, and for overseas marquee or emerging players wanting to experience the best provincial competition in the world."

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