Former Connacht midfielder Tadhg Leader has signed a two-year deal with the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby. Murray Kinsella of The42 was the first to report the signing. Leader joins the team from the St. Louis Royals, whom he coached to a Men’s Division 3 National Championship in 2017.
The 25-year-old from Galway played for the Boston Wolfhounds when he first arrived state-side. He then joined Lindenwood University on a scholarship but was ruled ineligible to play because of his previous status as a professional. Leader was set to play in PRO Rugby had it continued to a second season but will instead make his US professional debut for the Legion in the new startup competition kicking off in April.
A flyhalf or center, Leader joins a team that is yet to officially announce a coach or even playing venue. In fact no players have been publicly unveiled by the franchise itself, with external sources confirming the signings of Ryan Matyas, Mike Te’o, and Dylan Audsley. Leader will slot into what will be a formidable backline that is set to add more Eagles in the coming weeks.