The Western Force's signing spree has continued with the capture of England international Nic Dolly for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The announcement of Dolly's deal comes as the Force look to stabilize after a 1-6 start to the current season ahead of their bottom-of-the-table clash on Saturday against the equally struggling Crusaders at HBF Park in Perth.
Dolly, who was born and raised in Sydney, has spent the last seven years playing in England, most recently with Premiership club Leicester Tigers.
The 24-year-old hooker has made her only Test cap for England in 2021 after representing the country at underage level.
His international call-up came under then-coach Eddie Jones during an impressive 2021-22 season when he scored nine tries in 21 matches in Super League Rugby and the European Rugby Champions Cup.
Dolly will join the force in July and will be eligible to represent the Wallabies by November.
His signing comes just a week after the Force acquired former Wallabies hooker Brandon Bainga Amosa, who will also link up with the Perth-based franchise in July after spending the past three years in France.
Earlier this month, the Force announced the signing of former Wallabies star Kurtley Beale for the rest of the season on an injury replacement contract.
Bale will make his first-team debut in Saturday night's match against the Crusaders in Perth.
face to face
Last 3 meetings
Average points scored
Another former Wallaby, Lock Sam Carter, recently signed with the Force for the remainder of the season.
Dolly said the time was right for him to return to his native Australia, and he was looking forward to playing under Force coach Simon Cron.
“I've been here seven years, and I always had a plan to come home to play Football“Dolly said in a statement.
“The long-term plan and direction (the force) is going is exciting, with Chrono locked away for the next few years.
“I've spoken to Harry Potter, in particular, along with Carters (Sam Carter) and in terms of the culture and what the club is trying to do, it's all been positive and something I think I can add to, on and off the pitch.”
The Force face a battle to avoid the wooden spoon after opening their season with just one win in seven.
Surprisingly, the Crusaders are also 1-6 in what represents a major fall from grace for the powerful New Zealand team.
But with eight of the 12 teams in the competition qualifying for the finals, the winner of Saturday's match will be back in the mix.
The Force are aiming to bounce back from their 50-3 crushing loss to the Blues in Round 7
Bale will start at full-back, while Michael Wells (knee) and Isak Roda (quad) will return via the bench.
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