Controversial former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison has been named in the Brumbies leadership group just five days after completing an eight-month suspension.

Harrison, who has returned to the Canberra-based franchise he last represented in 2003, was suspended after he admitted to taking cocaine during his stint with English club Bath.

The 34-capped Test forward also admitted to shouting out "class A, it's OK, everyone's doing it" on a microphone on a Bath coach heading to a party in London last year.

One of rugby's more colourful and outspoken characters, Harrison also attracted adverse headlines in 2005 when he was suspended for three weeks after owning up to a racial slur against black South African Chumani Booi.

Both Harrison and the Brumbies management acknowledged his chequered off-field past when he re-signed for the franchise last November.

"I've made mistakes during my career, but the next 12 months is a chance for me to rectify my professional reputation," Harrison said.

At the time, Brumbies CEO Andrew Fagan described Harrison as "one of the great characters of world rugby" and said he remained one of the "club's favourite sons".

"His mistakes over time have been well documented, but he's always faced up to them, taken responsibility for them and accepted the consequences," Fagan said.

Harrison was named in the leadership group on Monday, alongside another returning Brumby, back Matt Giteau, and forwards Stephen Moore, Mitchell Chapman and last season's skipper Stephen Hoiles.

The signing of Harrison, has taken on extra significance after the news Wallabies' lock Peter Kimlin will miss the entire Super campaign because of impending shoulder surgery.

With the Brumbies boasting two emerging playmakers in Wallabies tourist Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano, coach Andy Friend has still to decide where Giteau will play.

Giteau has spent most of the last two years at five-eighth, after initially establishing himself at inside centre.

"I'm happy to play fly half, inside centre, fullback, wherever the team needs me," said Giteau, who has rejoined the Brumbies after three seasons with Western Force.

"But whichever position I'm chosen (in) I'd like to stick there for the whole season, depending on form."

Also joining Giteau at Brumbies training on Monday was Wallabies captain and former NSW flanker, Rocky Elsom.

One of three Test skippers in the Brumbies squad along with Stirling Mortlock and George Smith, Elsom wasn't worried his team would have more chiefs than Indians.

"I think your job is to support the leader, that's something that your leader requires and it's something I've done for most of my career," Elsom said.

Melbourne-born Elsom said being linked with the new Rebels franchise came "with the territory" and said while their presence would be good for the competition, it didn't make any difference to him as his immediate focus was on the Brumbies.

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