Swain was unveiled as the Vikings captain on Tuesday, with the 22-year-old to take the reins having played just 13 Super Rugby games in two years.

It signals a major changing of the guard for the ACT Brumbies, who will be closely watching the development of Swain and his teammates before formulating a plan to rebuild the Super Rugby roster.

Swain is one of several players who can use the Vikings campaign as a chance to prove a point to Brumbies coaches, who are coming to grips with the departure of their biggest names.

The absence of Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, David Pocock, Christian Lealiifano, Henry Speight and Josh Mann-Rea will leave a gaping hole in experience next year.

But rather than recruit established stars, the Brumbies are putting their faith in untested talent.

Swain and Nick Frost will compete with Blake Enever and Murray Douglas for the lock spots, teenage playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa will move to Canberra when he finishes school and junior Wallabies Noah Lolesio and Lachlan Lonergan are itching for a chance.

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"There are a lot of guys with something to prove this year. Guys who have missed out on the World Cup, guys who are pushing for Brumbies spots next year and even just younger club guys," Swain said.

"There are heaps of opportunities. There's a really young demographic in the [Vikings] squad this year, but that just gives us a chance to prove something.

"We don't need to put any extra pressure on us. [Coach Nick Scrivener] has given us a little bit of leniency this year to just play fast. I'm excited by the chance [to captain]."

The Vikings will begin their hit and run seven-game mission when they play the Melbourne Rising on Saturday afternoon.

Tom Banks and Joe Powell are unavailable for selection because of training duties in New Caledonia with the Wallabies' World Cup squad, but Pete Samu is expected to play.

The Vikings are yet to win an NRC title and this could be their last chance as Australian rugby supremos mull a potential third-tier shake up next year.

"We're just going to go and bloody rip in," Swain said.

"There's so much talent in our squad. There is pressure I guess, but you could say the same for the likes of Melbourne and the Western Force.

"We're not thinking about Brumbies opportunities or anything like that. We're excited by the Vikings chance, the rest will look after itself."

The NRC has introduced several law variations this year, some based on NRL rules to increase the speed of the game.

Teams can regain possession if they kick the ball from inside their own half and find touch inside the opposition 22 metre zone, similar to an NRL 40-20.

Defensive teams who hold up an attacker over the try-line will take a line drop out rather than muscling up for a five-metre scrum.

"They're good changes, they're going to make the game fast. It will be interesting to see how teams take to them," Swain said.

NRC ROUND ONE

Saturday: Melbourne Rising v Canberra Vikings at Box Hill Rugby Club, Melbourne, 1.30pm.

Canberra Vikings squad: Tom Banks, Mack Hansen, Len Ikitau, Bayley Kuenzle, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, George Morseu, Andy Muirhead, Joe Powell, Toni Pulu, Andrew Robinson, Irae Simone, Seamus Smith, Tom Wright, Angus Allen, Bowen Abra, Nick Dobson, Blake Enever, Nick Frost, Luke Gersekowski, Jake Helgesen, Fred Kaihea, Lachlan Lonergan, TP Luteru, Connal McInerney, Will Miller, Tom Ross, Pete Samu, Levi Shaw, Jake Simeon, Darcy Swain, Rob Valetini, Angus Wagner.