West, who has recommitted to the Blues, will need a back-up next season and Francis appears the best qualified. Sonny Bill Williams will claim the No12 jersey but, again, Francis has shown enough ability to suggest he could provide Umaga with an alternative there.
Williams, George Moala and Rene Ranger will compete for the two midfield positions, with Rieko Ioane also capable of playing centre.
Midfielder Male Sa'u, who also signed only a one-year deal, has already returned to Japanese club rugby.
The Blues' victory over the Waratahs, which followed their 40-15 thrashing of the Brumbies, allowed them to finish in 11th place. It was their best season since 2011, when they made the semifinals.
After the match against the team from Sydney, a quietly satisfied Umaga spoke of tough decisions ahead.
"This is the tough time now - this is the nature of our game," he said.
"You spend a lot of time with a group of players and it's never going to be the same next year. There are some guys who have got exit plans and we want to celebrate with them, and there are guys in limbo, and again, that's the nature of our business.
"It's bitter-sweet, really, where you're happy with obviously winning the last couple of games and the way you performed, but you're going to see some guys who didn't get a chance even in Super Rugby [leaving], but were there every day sweating their guts out and preparing this side to play as best they can."