Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
A last-gasp drop goal from Shane O’Leary gave Nottingham a 32-31 road win over Coventry at Butts Park on Saturday. With time expired, the Canadian international calmly moved back into the pocket and slotted the kick under pressure from the onrushing defenders. It’s the latest in a series of match winning performances for O’Leary this season.
Adding in three conversions and one penalty goal landed earlier in the match, O’Leary’s season total is now at 169 points. He leads second-place Rob Kirby of Richmond by 30 points with only two rounds to play. A scoring title would put a cap on the 26-year-old’s most accomplished season to date.
After being left out of Canada’s match day rosters during the Repechage series in November, O’Leary told the Irish Independent he was determined to win his starting spot back for the fast approaching Rugby World Cup in Japan. The flyhalf has now started all 20 of Nottingham’s fixtures and looks a certainty to be part of Canada’s squad for the Pacific Nations Cup in July.
