ACT Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano is poised to make a temporary move to Ireland in a bid to get professional game time and continue his comeback journey after going into remission.
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Lealiifano has been linked to a deal with Pro 14 team Ulster and could move overseas in the coming weeks to start the season on September 1 if he can finalise a deal with the Brumbies, a new club and the ARU.
It's believed the Brumbies would be happy for Lealiifano to play abroad to help fast-track his Super Rugby development after he was diagnosed with leukaemia 12 months ago.
News of Lealiifano's potential short-term deal comes as the Brumbies prepare to swoop on Western Force recruits if they become available after the ARU axed the Perth club on Friday.
The Force are fighting to save their future but it appears grim after an ugly end to a bitter four-month process that has left the game with two black eyes.
If the Force is exiled, the player market will soon be flooded as several stars search for a new home.
Billy Meakes, Curtis Rona or Chance Peni loom as recruiting targets given the Brumbies need to add at least two backs to their squad for next season.
The future is unknown for Queanbeyan junior Robbie Coleman, who left the Brumbies at the end of last year to link with the Perth franchise.
The ARU is yet to decide if it will expand squads and the salary cap at Australia's four remaining clubs to accommodate Force players.
However, it will honour all existing contracts for players unless they request to be released to move overseas.
"You feel for the Force, definitely. But whatever club you were at, you were just waiting for a decision," said Brumbies coach Dan McKellar.
"Now that there's been a decision, the game can move forward. But I really feel for the people at the Force and everything they've had to go through.
"But we can't keep going down the same path where it's negative story after negative story. We've got to make a decision and move forward, that's what's best for all parties."
The Brumbies have filled most of their roster spots for the 2018 season, but the chance to lure extra firepower would bolster their bid win the club's third championship.
Meakes is an attractive option as a back line recruit given he played under the guidance of Brumbies forwards coach Laurie Fisher when they were both at Gloucester.
The Force also boast a strong forward pack, including Richie Arnold, the twin brother of Brumby Rory, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Richard Hardwick and Adam Coleman.
The Brumbies recruited hooker Folau Faingaa on Friday and are expected to add scrumhalf Matt Lucas and flanker Lachlan McCaffrey to their roster in the coming weeks.
Superstar flanker David Pocock will return from a 12-month sabbatical while Lealiifano will use his time in Europe to fast-track his comeback.
The inspirational leader was diagnosed with leukaemia in August last year and was unsure if he would play rugby again.
But he made a surprise return in the Brumbies' quarter-final loss and will get valuable game time in Ireland before moving back to Canberra for pre-season training in January.
The presence of Lealiifano, Pocock and Sam Carter will give the Brumbies valuable leadership in McKellar's first year in charge of a Super Rugby franchise.
