Dan McKellar says ACT Brumbies centre Irae Simone would be 'a loss' if he goes to France

The off-contract ACT Brumbies star has been linked to Top 14 outfit Clermont, with the Super Rugby club resigned to the fact domestic and international rivals will come knocking for their talent.

Brumbies mentor and Wallabies assistant coach McKellar concedes it's "tough to keep secrets these days" as word about Simone filters through from France.

"We'll make an announcement on that shortly. Obviously tough to keep secrets these days for too long," McKellar said.

"If he ends up going to France then he is a loss. He has had a really good contribution and got his career going here. It'll be disappointing to see him leave."

Simone will line up at inside centre for the Brumbies when they face the Fijian Drua at Brisbane's Lang Park on Saturday night.

The 26-year-old has recaptured the form that earned him two Wallabies caps in 2020, re-emerging as one of the country's premier inside centres.

But Simone was overlooked by Wallabies coach Dave Rennie for this past week's camp on the Gold Coast, with Samu Kerevi looming as the favourite to line up against England for a three-Test series in July.

Now a move offshore - coincidentally to the host nation of next year's World Cup - would open the door for Simone to start a new chapter in his career.

"If it's my last year, I want to put my best foot forward. If it's not, I still want to do the same and win the title," Simone said last month.

SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC ROUND EIGHT

Saturday: Fijian Drua v ACT Brumbies at Lang Park, 7.45pm. Broadcast live on Stan Sport.

Brumbies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Sefo Kautai, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Tom Hooper, 6. Ed Kennedy, 7. Luke Reimer, 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Nic White (c), 10. Rod Iona, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Cam Clark, 15. Tom Wright. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Rory Scott, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Hudson Creighton, 23. Ollie Sapsford.

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