Kyle Baillie is the latest Canadian to head south for Major League Rugby. The blindside flanker has signed on for the 2019 season with the New Orleans Gold, joining international teammates Hubert Buydens and Eric Howard at the club.
A versatile and athletic forward, the 6’5″ (1.97m) PEI native can also cover lock or No8 and is known for his lineout ability and aggressive defense. Since recovering from shoulder surgery Baillie has also impressed with his ball carrying ability both in the Canadian Rugby Championship and recently with Canadian teams on tour in France and at the Americas Pacific Challenge.
The 27-year-old has won 18 caps since his debut in 2016. Baillie was a standout with the Ohio Aviators in the 2016 PRO Rugby season before spending the 2017-18 season with London Scottish in the RFU Championship. He is set to play a key role for Canada in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers next month.
Baillie is the latest is a string of signings from NOLA that includes former Samoa lock Kane Thompson, Australian pair Scott Gale and Con Foley, and South African back Tristan Blewett. At least one further international forward is set to be confirmed later this week.