Matt Heaton is the latest Canadian to sign on for Major League Rugby. The 26-year-old flanker will join the expansion Rugby ATL side following the Rugby World Cup. He is the second new Canadian to join the North American professional league in the off-season following new Arrows flyhalf Will Kelly.
A native of Godmanchester, Quebec, Heaton has spent the past five years in the UK after heading abroad following his selection to the Canada ‘A’ side in 2013. The past three seasons he has been a regular in the Darlington Mowden Park lineup in National One, captaining the side in the 2018-19 campaign.
Heaton is an openside specialist noted for his high levels of fitness and defensive prowess. He will bring experience and leadership to a young side with a strong contingent of recent graduates of the esteemed Life University program. Among the recruits for the new season are Eagles front rowers Chance Wenglewski and Alex Maughan.