Brumbies coach Dan McKellar sees Swain as a vital part of the club's next wave of talent, which is why the lock jumped at the chance to sign a one-year contract extension to chase a Super Rugby career.

The 21-year-old Cairns product says if you take the cold weather out of the equation Canberra feels a lot like home - and he will have plenty of time to get used to it.

McKellar knows Brumbies stars Sam Carter and Rory Arnold "won't be around forever" and Swain has already set his sights on filling their shoes when the time comes.

Swain turned heads in the Brumbies' under 20s program after moving to Canberra two years ago, paving the way for his Super Rugby debut this season when he came off the bench against the Argentina Jaguares.

Swain stayed behind as the Brumbies travelled to New Zealand to face the Waikato Chiefs in a bid to keep their Super Rugby dream alive, with the 21-year-old instead preparing to suit up for the Tuggeranong Vikings against Royals in the John I Dent Cup.

"To get a bit more game time would be ideal, and just to step into a role long-term and stay here with those sort of guys leaving the club - they’re getting a bit old now, that’s sort of known - but they’re still great players," Swain said.

"One day hopefully to step into their shoes would be good. Physically I’ve developed a little bit, but out on the field, strategy-wise, I’ve learnt a lot.

"To learn a lot off those locks that have a huge amount of experience like Sam Carter, the Arnolds, [Blake] Enever, those guys have given me a lot too and it's good to just get out there and challenge them.

"I’m really grateful to be here, it’s a great opportunity to learn under a lot of guys with a lot of experience, and to be at a place like the Brumbies, it’s quite a historical club for breeding young talent and I just want to be a part of that."

Swain is quickly building a reputation in Canberra rugby circles for his physicality and intent on the park which complement his "excellent" set-piece skills.

McKellar rates the former Junior Wallaby so highly he has dubbed him a potential leadership group member for the Canberra Vikings in the NRC.

“Physically he’s still got some growing to do but players like Sam Carter and Rory Arnold won’t be around forever, so it’s important to have the next generation coming through and Darcy is a big part of that," McKellar said.

“The more games he gets the more confident he’ll be and there’s certainly good times ahead for him. He’s a leader at his club and I’d guess he may be looked at for the leadership group in NRC this year as he’s certainly a guy that players respect.

“He doesn’t rant and rave but when he speaks guys listen, even with him being at a young age.”