Toronto Arrows Announce the Signing of Irish Prop O’Donnell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce the signing of Irish prop Conan O’Donnell for the 2023 Major League Rugby season.

O’Donnell, 26, will arrive at the club from New Zealand side Northland, where the forward has been plying his trade in the National Provincial Championship.

“The opportunity to call Toronto and Canada home for six months is very attractive,” said O’Donnell. “It’s a bit of a dream come true to be coming over.”

“Major League Rugby has really taken off in the last few years, and everyone can see it’s a growing league that’s going places. Toronto was at the top of my list, and I’m thrilled to get a chance to play my rugby here.”

“I’m ready give everything I can to get us into the playoffs and push for a Shield.”

The six-foot, 260-pound prop began his professional career with Connacht in 2014, spending five years with his home provincial side as he progressed from an academy athlete to a senior team regular. O’Donnell’s time with the Galway-based outfit was highlighted by helping Connacht earn its first Pro12 title in 2016, which he won alongside then-teammate and fellow Arrows newcomer Shane O’Leary.

Upon the completion of the 2019 Pro14 season, O’Donnell left Ireland to join Japanese side Sunwolves for the remainder of the 2019 Super Rugby campaign. After impressing over his five-match stint for the Tokyo-based team, the prop received an offer to join New Zealand club Counties Manukau for the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season.

O’Donnell got another taste of Super Rugby the following year, first suiting up for Crusaders in a 2020 preseason friendly before swapping Christchurch for Dunedin and joining Highlanders on an eight-week contract as injury cover.

The Sligo native returned to Counties Manukau for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season, and would remain in New Zealand for two more NPC stints, first with Canterbury in 2021, and more recently with Northland this past season.

O’Donnell has represented his country at the age-grade level, featuring at both the 2015 and 2016 Six Nations Under-20 Championships, as well as at the 2015 World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

Prior to starting his professional career, he played his grassroots rugby with his home All-Ireland League club side Sligo, as well as school side Summerhill College.

“Conan is a very talented, high-energy player who brings size and experience gained from playing in the top leagues across the globe,” said Mark Winokur, Toronto Arrows Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “We’re really looking forward to seeing him in blue and white this season.”

The club will be making additional signing announcements in the coming weeks as 2023 season preparations continue to build.

About Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club:

Established in 2018, the Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club is Canada’s first and only professional rugby union team.

Competing in Major League Rugby, the team is equipped to compete against top-tier North American professional club teams, providing emerging Canadian talent with enhanced and more frequent opportunities to hone their skills at an elite level.

For more information, visit https://torontoarrows.com/

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For more information, please contact:

Brock Smith
Communications Manager
Toronto Arrows
[email protected]

Header Photo Credit: William Booth/Getty Images