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Former Canada u20 flyhalf Shane O’Leary has extended his deal with newly-crowned Guinness Pro 12 champions Connacht. The 23-year-old played a supporting role for the Irish province this season, appearing in six Pro 12 games and three Challenge Cup matches, starting on four occasions. He was also a regular starter for the Connacht Eagles, the reserve side that competed in the British & Irish Cup and other friendlies including a match against Germany.
The news is good and bad for Canadian fans. While maintaining his exposure to high level professionalism for a further year is certainly a positive, the chances of seeing O’Leary commit to the Canadian jersey have been diminished. Connacht are only permitted one non-Irish flyhalf on their roster and with South African international Marnitz Boshoff signed for next season it means O’Leary won’t be seen in a red jersey for another 12 months at a minimum. It’s the same reason US Eagles star AJ MacGinty was forced to leave and sign for Sale Sharks in England.
O’Leary had been offered a spot in Canada’s World Cup warm-up squad ahead of the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup, but declined to concentrate on his post at Connacht. He has been targeted for some time by national selectors since starring for the national u20s in 2013. While he has yet to establish himself as first choice at a major overseas club, his professional experience and strong kicking ability compare favorably to Canada’s current flyhalf options, all of whom play their rugby domestically. O’Leary qualifies for Canada via his mother who was born in Edmundston, New Brunswick.
