The Western Force have suffered an unexpected triple blow as preparations get underway for next season, with one-cap Wallabies winger Darby Lancaster, George Bridge and Max Burey all leaving the club.
Lancaster was a revelation in his first year at the Force, scoring four tries in five matches before suffering a season-ending ankle injury against the Queensland Reds on April 4.
The Force were keen to re-sign him for next year but the 23-year-old has informed the club he won't be coming back, with reports suggesting he will join the Blues instead.
It means Lancaster will play for his fourth Super Rugby Pacific club in the space of four years, following stints with the Melbourne Rebels, NSW Waratahs and the Force.
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Former All Blacks utility back Bridge is also on the move despite having another year to run on his Force contract.
Bridge played a crucial role in their best season since 2014, missing only one match for the year and scoring two tries along the way playing mostly at outside centre.
The 31-year-old is set to take up a more lucrative offer in Japan.
Burey, who has notched 33 caps for the Force since arriving in 2023, has filled a number of backline roles and is reportedly set to take up a deal with the Waratahs.
The trio's departure comes on top of star lock Darcy Swain announcing earlier in the year that he will be joining French Top 14 club Clermont once the Force's 2026 campaign came to an end.
The Force thanks departing players George Bridge, Max Burey, Feao Fotuaika, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Darby Lancaster & Titi Nofoagatotoa for their service 💙
— Western Force (@westernforce) June 5, 2026
The Club acknowledges their contributions & service, wishing them all well for the future#ForeverForce pic.twitter.com/QDPcas1TVS
The Force also announced on Friday that Feao Fotuaika, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Titi Nofoagatotoa will be leaving the club.
But former Wallabies star Kurtley Beale is set to sign on for another season, while Australian outside back James Ramm will be linking up on a two-year deal following a successful stint with English side Northampton Saints.
Ramm's impending arrival, plus the retention of Dylan Pietsch and former NRL star Zac Lomax, means the Force will still have plenty of wing options despite Lancaster's departure.
The Force won five of their last six games to finish with a 7-7 record this year, narrowly missing out on the franchise's maiden finals berth.
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