Veteran Prop Paddy Ryan Signs Extension with Hounds

CHICAGO, I.L.- The Chicago Hounds announced today they agreed to a contract extension with tighthead prop Paddy Ryan. The 2024 Major League Rugby season will be Ryan’s seventh season in the league.

In 2023, Ryan started eight of his 11 appearances and he finished the season with 462 minutes on the field. The MLR veteran, 32 years old, carried the ball 33 times and gained 138 meters on those carries (4.2 meters-per-carry). Defensively, he completed 54 tackles on 62 attempts and was credited with three breakdown steals. Additionally, Ryan had 98 first or second ruck arrivals. The Chicago-born tighthead made his 50th MLR appearance in the Hounds’ Week 13 contest against the New York Ironworkers.

Ryan’s MLR career started in 2018 with Austin but he appeared in only three contests that year due to injury. He signed with New York in the offseason and helped lead them to a semi-final appearance in 2019. He finished the year with 13 appearances and 758 minutes played with three tries and 384 meters on his 93 carries. Defensively, he was credited with 88 tackles.

He appeared in four contests for New York in the truncated 2020 season, adding another try to his career totals while making all 21 of his tackle attempts. After Ryan’s two-year stint in New York, he returned to Austin in 2021.

The tighthead prop appeared in 12 contests for the Gilgronis while scoring two tries on his 46 carries. On defense, Ryan made 35 tackles while only missing three. He finished the year with four breakdown steals.

Ryan spent the 2022 season with the San Diego Legion. He appeared in 11 games, playing 350 minutes, and completed 37 tackles. The prop gained 99 meters on 28 ball carries for the Legion.

He has deeply rooted connections to the city of Chicago, playing club rugby here at various times throughout his career, most recently with the Chicago Griffins. Ryan has seven test caps for the United States Men’s National Team.

Roster to Date:

To date, the Chicago Hounds have signed the following players for the 2024 Major League Rugby season:

• Nick McCarthy, scrumhalf
• Ben Landry, lock/flanker
• Dave Kearney, wing
• Bryce Campbell, center*
• Zurabi Zhvania, prop
• Billy Meakes, center*
• Julian Dominguez, wing*
• George Merrick, lock
• Tinashe Muchena, back row*
• Adriaan Carelse, fullback
• Mika Felix, prop*
• Jason Higgins, scrumhalf (via trade with San Diego)
• Justice Nkombua, flanker*
• Paddy Ryan, prop*

Star denotes re-signed player.