The Western Force has added another Wallaby to their growing roster, signing Darby Lancaster for the 2026 season.
The Waratah winger will join a side stacked with back-three options, including Dylan Pietsch, Kurtley Beale, and Mac Grealy.
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The 22-year-old has enjoyed a prosperous start to his career, picking up 17 Super Rugby caps across the Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs.
Playing in the Aussie Sevens, Australia XV and the Australia U20 sides, Lancaster became a Wallaby when he debuted against Georgia, his sole cap at the time of writing.
Featuring in the 2025 Shute Shield grand final where he scored the opening try for eventual runners-up Eastern Suburbs, Lancaster will link up with the squad in November after missing out on selection for the Waratahs’ Super Rugby AUS side.
“I’m very excited to sign on with the Force," Lancaster said in an official statement.
"It’s an exciting group who play fast, attacking rugby and as an outside back, that’s what I love to see.
“The rugby they play suits me. I’m really looking forward to playing with attacking-minded players like Ben Donaldson. Playing at the fast deck of HBF Park, there’s bound to be some good running rugby, which will suit me.
“I know a fair few of the players, so I’m excited to get among the group. I spent a week with Crono for the AUNZ game and got to know him a bit and Chucky (Stannard) used to coach me in my Australia 7s days, so I’m really excited to work with them.
“I’ve been over to Perth a few times and always loved my time over there. The lifestyle and the beaches are going to be really nice as well.”
“Darby has characteristics that you really can’t coach, with his lightning-quick speed and power,” added Western Force coach Simon Cron.
“He can run over 10 metres per second. He’s a powerful human being. He’s shown that against us in a few games.
“He’s really driven to be successful and be the best he can be. We’ve had a lot of chats about that over the last couple of weeks. We’re excited to have him join our squad and add to the players that we have here.
“We’ve got to make sure that we continue to drive standards and expectations in the squad and he’ll do that.
“He’s had experience at Wallabies level and he knows a lot of players within the environment."
