The ACT Brumbies have announced the re-signings of seven stars as they build for the future.
In an extraordinary move, it means the club have already signed 31 players for the 2024 season and beyond before their first bye.
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The mass re-signings are headlined by new Wallaby Blake Schoupp, who signs a two-year deal alongside fellow prop Harry Vella.
Schoupp was called into Eddie Jones' squad for April's training camp after a breakout season with the Brumbies, making an emphatic debut against the NSW Waratahs in round one.
Australia A duo Rory Scott and Hudson Creighton along with pathways product Declan Meredith also sign two year deals.
Scott has started in six games for the Brumbies in 2023 whilst Creighton continues his return from injury, last featuring in October's Australia A tour of Japan.
Wallaby Connal McInerney and Jack Debreczeni round out the signings on one-year deals.
McInerney played his lone Test for Australia in 2021 against Japan, scoring off the bench.
As for Debreczeni, he has emerged as one of the signings of the competition after returning to Australia from overseas, forming a solid partnership with Ryan Lonergan.
“Off the back of a good start to the 2023 season, it’s fantastic for us to have clarity on what our squad will look like in the short, medium and long term," ACT Brumbies General Manager Professional Rugby and Pathways, Chris Thomson said in a statement.
“It’s particularly rare to be in this position in a World Cup year, and we’re having positive conversations with current members of the squad to add to our development players who will join the senior squad in 2024.
“As always, we’re now focusing on identifying the right talent to join our pathways program to ensure we are replenishing the squad with players who have developed in our program and know what’s required if and when they earn an opportunity in that senior group.”
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies head coach, Stephen Larkham said: “Continuity is critical for us as a team, so we’re thrilled to be able to retain these seven players in our squad for 2024 and beyond," head coach Stephen Larkham added.
“We’ve built a good base for this season, and the seasons to come and if you look at our roster, there’s still a lot of growth to come and our job as a collective will be to continue to make the Brumbies a place where players want to be because they know they can take their career to the next level.”
