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George Barton will be back for a third season with the Seattle Seawolves. The 22-year-old Canadian international has signed on for the 2020 Major League Rugby season, the 17th player to be confirmed by the two-time defending champions.
After playing a limited role in 2018, Barton stepped up in a big way in 2019 with 16 appearances including 11 starts. The ball carrying powerhouse was used at both midfield positions, taking over as first choice outside center when William Rasileka was injured mid-season. He wore the No13 shirt in the MLR Shield Final against San Diego.
Despite his success with Seattle, Barton was not among Canada’s chosen few for the Rugby World Cup. Head coach Kingsley Jones named the Duncan, BC, native in the extended training squad prior to the Pacific Nations Cup but preferred the experience of Nick Blevins to Barton’s youth in Japan.
Formerly with the Clermont Auvergne academy program, Barton has yet to add to his two test caps both won during the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship. He captained Canada’s entry at the 2017 World Rugby u20 Trophy where he played alongside fellow MLR signings Steven Ng, Jack McRogers, Cole Keith, Will Kelly, and Aidan McMullan.
