The ACT Brumbies are excited to announce tight-head prop Darcy Breen has signed with the club for the next two seasons, completing a remarkable journey from pre-season train-and-trial cover to fully contracted Brumbies player and a front-row cornerstone for years to come.
Originally from Sydney, Breen joined the NSW Waratahs academy after leaving school. His performances for Sydney University earned him selection in the 2019 Australia U20 side, finishing runners-up at the World Rugby U20 Championship alongside fellow Brumbies Lachlan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Rhys van Nek and Nick Frost.
In 2021, the powerful scrummaging prop made his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs against the Rebels before going on to make eight appearances for the side. From there, his rugby career took a less than traditional path, with stints at Major League Rugby outfit San Diego Legion — alongside Brumbies great Matt Giteau — and in New Zealand with Canterbury, where he helped lift the 2025 Bunnings NPC title.
The “Breenage Dream” arrived in Canberra on a train-and-trial deal with the ACT Brumbies, originally set to conclude in February. But he had no intention of leaving.
A graduate of the recently launched “Tight Five Project” — an elite forwards development initiative by Rugby Australia and the Australian Rugby Foundation — Breen remained with the club to help cover injuries to Allan Alaalatoa and van Nek.
Breen earned a call-up to the ACT Brumbies squad for Round 5 of the Super Rugby Pacific season, named to start against the Fijian Drua and since then, he has impressed enough to earn a full-time deal, keeping him in white, blue and yellow until the end of 2028.
Breen said his rugby journey had taken him across the world, but finding a home in Canberra had made all the hard work worthwhile.
“I’ve taken a pretty different path to get here, but to now have the chance to call the Brumbies home for the next few years is something I’m really proud of,” Breen said.
“From the moment I arrived in Canberra, the players, coaches and staff backed me and made me feel part of the group straight away.”
Breen said the environment at the club had allowed him to grow both on and off the field.
“This group pushes each other every day and there’s a real pride in representing the Brumbies,” he said.
“I feel like I’m improving all the time here and I’m excited about what’s ahead. To represent Canberra and contribute to this club means a huge amount to me, and I’m looking forward to continuing to earn my place in the team.”
ACT Brumbies Head Coach Stephen Larkham said Breen’s development was a reflection of the work he had put in since arriving at the club.
“Darcy came to us with an opportunity, but also with work to do to be ready for Super Rugby. To his credit, he has put in the hard work and earned every minute of playing time he’s received this year,” Larkham said.
“We’re very happy to be keeping him around for the next two years. He’s a popular member of the squad and a powerful, reliable force at scrum time.”
Director of Performance Cam Treloar said Breen’s re-signing further strengthened the Brumbies’ front-row depth.
“Darcy’s earned this opportunity through consistency and hard work,” Treloar said.
“He’s come into the environment, embraced everything we’ve asked of him and continued to improve week after week. He brings real physicality to our front row and has become a valued member of the group very quickly."
The Brumbies now turn their attention to a crucial clash with the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Friday night.
Brumbies fans can get behind the side during the run to the finals by making the trip up to Sydney this weekend before returning to GIO Stadium for the club’s final regular-season home clash against Moana Pasifika.
