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Eric Howard is the next Canadian to pledge for Major League Rugby. The 24-year-old hooker has signed on the dotted line for the New Orleans Gold, joining fellow Canadian international front row Hubert Buydens on the roster for the inaugural season. Part of Rugby Canada’s Centralized Training group, Howard joins NOLA via McCormick Cup champion Brantford Harlequins and the Ontario Blues, while also appearing for the Ontario Arrows in their maiden run-out against Glendale earlier this month..
Known for his athleticism around the pitch, Howard was an OUA All-Star with the Guelph Gryphons and named Most Valuable Player in the Ontario university competition for the 2016 season. He made his test debut against Brazil in the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship and has since won 10 caps, getting his first and thus far only test start against Brazil in the 2017 ARC. Howard will be part of the Canada ‘A’ team in the Americas Pacific Challenge tournament held in Montevideo next month.
Major League Rugby will kick off its first regular season in April 2018. As many as eight teams across the USA are set to take part. More Canadian players are expected to be confirmed for the new competition in the coming weeks.
