McCabe has been added to the Brumbies board after one of the most turbulent years in the club's history, with the directors and former chief executive Michael Jones involved in a bitter legal dispute.

McCabe, now a lawyer at MinterEllison, hopes his presence as the players' representative will ease some of the stress on the squad created by boardroom issues.

The 28-year-old was forced into premature retirement in 2014 when doctors told him he was risking his health if he kept playing after breaking his neck three times in two years.

But the man regarded as one of the toughest players to have worn a Brumbies jersey is back and he's prepared for a new rugby challenge.

McCabe praised Scott Fardy for the way he handled his role on the board last season as he juggled his playing duties with the off-field drama engulfing the club.

"History probably says [the Brumbies boardroom] isn't somewhere for the faint-hearted," McCabe said.

"I think Fards did a fantastic job in navigating both responsibilities last year, which I think was probably more challenging and draining than many people would understand.

"But part of the fun of being on the board as well is that people are so passionate about the Brumbies.

"People do have strong opinions and that's a good thing. It's a better situation than no one caring at all."

McCabe will be thrust straight into his new role with the board set to have its annual general meeting in the coming weeks, where it will report a significant financial loss for the past year.

But McCabe is keen to sink his teeth into his new role and reconnect with rugby after injury heartbreak brought his playing days to an abrupt halt.

McCabe is content knowing he will never play again and will now channel his rugby passion into other areas. He will act as the link between the players and the board for all matters.

"I'm still trying to work out how I can make the best contribution," McCabe said.

"I hope to be able to make the Brumbies sustainable and strong, and give people the opportunities that I've had.

"It's nice to be able to remove some of the stress [from the playing squad]. To not be there on a day to day basis and to be playing, I think it's probably easier [to be on the board].

"It's a different sort of involvement. But it is nice, I love rugby and I'm extremely passionate about it."

McCabe's boardroom appoint comes as the Brumbies prepare for their first test of the year on the field in a pre-season trial against an Australian Barbarians side on Saturday.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has challenged his senior players to stand tall, appointing Sam Carter as captain for the clash against the Barbarians.

Larkham will wait until next week to appoint a full-time captain with Carter one of the players capable of stepping into the role.

"There are six players in the leadership group at the moment and Carts has been very vocal, so we're going to see how that transfers on to the field," Larkham said.

"We're looking to all of our senior players and leadership group to make sure they are contributing by the way they play and the chat on the field.

"It has to be that next level up. We've lost a lot of senior players from last year so we want to make sure these guys coming through know how to handle pressure situations.

"It's a bit of a trial [for Carter] and a trial for all the senior players to see how they handle it."

Fardy, Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa and Tevita Kuridrani will all play in the Brumbies' trial against the NSW Waratahs next weekend.

SUPER RUGBY PRE-SEASON

January 28: ACT Brumbies v Australian Barbarians at Viking Park, 5.30pm. Tickets available at the gate.

Brumbies team: Nic Mayhew, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 3. Ben Alexander, 4. Tom Staniforth, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Tom Cusack, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Lolo Fakaosilea, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 11. Lausii Taliauli, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Andrew Smith, 14. Andrew Muirhead, 15. Aidan Toua. Replacements: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Faalelei Sione, 18. Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Jordan Smiler, 21. Tomás Cubelli, 22. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23. Mac Hansen, 24. Saia Fainga'a, 25. Jarrad Butler, 26. Ben Hyne, 27. Ryan Lonergan, 28. Isaac Thompson, 29. Jamie Kotz, 30. Henry Speight.

February 4: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Mudgee, 6pm.

February 11-12: Brisbane Global 10s at Suncorp Stadium.