Hearn signs for London Irish

Canadian World Cup standout Ciaran Hearn has signed with Aviva Premiership club London Irish until the end of the season. The news caps a fine autumn for the utility back who has settled in the centre position after featuring in every back position for Canada outside of scrumhalf. Hearn enjoyed career-best form during the tournament and was named by many pundits in their Tier 2 select sides and in some cases the overall team of the pool rounds.

Despite winning 49 caps since his debut in 2008 and also being a mainstay on the World Sevens circuit, this will be Hearn’s first experience with a professional outfit as he approaches his 30th birthday in December. The move is welcome news to Canadian fans – particularly in the Maritime provinces – who now have two players to cheer for in the Exiles jersey. Hearn hails from Newfoundland while New Brunswick’s Jebb Sinclair has been a first team regular at the club since the 2011-12 season.

The news will be met with mixed emotions from national Sevens head coach Liam Middleton, who now looks certain to be without the services of one of his star players on the circuit as they attempt to qualify for the Oympics via the repechage tournament, to be held following the conclusion of this year’s series. Hearn may yet be available for the Olympic run-in pending his club’s fortunes as the Premiership final takes place on May 28 of next year.