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John Hayden has joined the hunt for a third consecutive Major League Rugby championship with the Seattle Seawolves. The 27-year-old tighthead prop has signed on for the 2020 season, the 15th returning player confirmed by the club to date.
A Collegiate All-American while playing for the Central Washington Wildcats, Hayden made the jump to the professional ranks in the inaugural 2018 campaign. In his two seasons with the side he has played a significant role as an impact substitute for starter Tim Metcher. Injury struck in 2019 and saw him ruled out of the second half of the season.
Hayden earned senior international honors with the USA Select XV in the 2018 Americas Pacific Challenge though he has yet to receive an Eagles call. At a sturdy 6’2″ (1.88m) and 275lbs (126kg), he is a formidable scrummager and strong ball carrier.
Seattle now have four front rowers on the current roster with Metcher joining hookers Stephan Coetzee and Mike Shepherd in extending their contracts. Loosehead prop trio Olive Kilifi, Djustice Sears-Duru, and Kellen Gordon remain unconfirmed as are hooker Dan Trierweiler and tighthead prop Jake Ilnicki.
