Wallaby lock Darcy Swain agrees to long-term overseas move

Having been dumped out of the Investec Champions Cup and down in eighth place in the Top 14 table, Clermont continue to make moves to strengthen their squad ahead of next season.

Following the signing of versatile Blues back AJ Lamb, the two-time French champions have now added Wallaby lock, Darcy Swain, to their ranks, also on a three-year deal.

The 28-year-old, who stands two metres tall and weighs 117kgs, has won 17 caps for Australia since his debut against France in 2021 and joins Clermont from the Western Force for the start of next season, in a move that will raise eyebrows with a home Rugby World Cup just 20 months away.

Swain has nearly 90 Super Rugby matches under his belt and captained his previous club, the Brumbies, on several occasions.

It remains to be seen if fellow lock and countryman, Rob Simmons, stays on the club’s books, or if this is a like-for-like replacement. Simmons will be 37 in April.