Stephen Larkham or George Gregan, Stirling Mortlock or Joe Roff? The Brumbies will choose from a list of some of Australian rugby's biggest names to bolster their pre-season campaign.

The Brumbies have confirmed they will bring a player out of retirement to join the squad for the inaugural Brisbane Global 10s tournament in February as the final preparation for the Super Rugby season.

Brumbies coach Larkham still plays in Canberra's lower grade competitions while Gregan, Mortlock or Roff would slot straight into the 10s set up.

The timing is perfect as the Brumbies cope with the loss of some of their marquee players, including Stephen Moore, David Pocock, Christian Lealiifano and Matt Toomua.

But assistant coach Dan McKellar believes playing alongside a former Brumbies champion will be the perfect way to usher in a new group of players.

The Brumbies will announce their Global 10s "wildcard" in January while the Queensland Reds have already declared their intention to chase Chris Latham.

The tournament is using the wildcard provision as a way to generate interest, similar to what the NRL has done with the Auckland Nines.

The Canberra Raiders have lured Ken Nagas and Jason Croker out of retirement in previous years, but are set to focus on developing players at the 2017 tournament.

"We'll take the Brisbane 10s seriously," McKellar said.

"We're not going to be spending the whole pre-season training for 10s but we'll take it seriously as that date comes closer.

"With competitive footballers, that competitive edge kicks in and they want to win everything.

"It was no different to when we went to Mauritius [in June] and I think it's going to be a real boost for rugby union at that time of year.

"The wildcard is something different - you get to see some legends of the game throw the boots on again.

"We probably need to be realistic and realise they won't be the same quality as they were at the peak, but the chance to see them again is great for the game.

"If you've played the game at the highest level, you've got the skill set and you never lose that. But maybe your legs don't move as fast as they once did."

Andrew Walker, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, Clyde Rathbone and Julian Huxley loom as other options to play in the 10s format.

George Smith, arguably the greatest Brumby of all, has joined the Queensland Reds and will make a Super Rugby comeback for the enemy next year.

His deal with the Reds and playing commitments in Japan mean it's unlikely Smith will be available for a Brumbies cameo at the Global 10s.

Giteau is playing for Toulon in France but could be available for a brief comeback.

The Brumbies coaches will use the 10s tournament as the final audition for round-one selection with the two-day event to be the final trial before the Super Rugby season-opener against the Canterbury Crusaders.

The battle for back-row spots to replace Pocock and the vacant flyhalf position are the most hotly contested jerseys up for grabs.

Isaac Thompson, Wharenui Hawera and Nick Jooste are competing for the Brumbies' No. 10 duties while Chris Alcock, Jarrad Butler and Tom Cusack are flanker contenders.

The Brumbies will play a pre-season trial against the NSW Waratahs in Mudgee on February 4 and another clash against an Australian Barbarians side.

"The trial games and certainly the 10s, you can definitely push your case for selection," McKellar said.

"That's what this pre-season block is for. We've got some new faces coming in and we're going to be looking for guys to step up.

"So with the 10s being our last hitout before the Crusaders match [in round one], there will definitely be spots up for grabs."