Hounds Sign Free Agent Prop Paddy Ryan

Chicago, I.L.- The Chicago Hounds confirmed today they have agreed to terms with tighthead prop Paddy Ryan. The Chicago-born, Ireland-native spent the 2022 Major League Rugby season with the San Diego Legion. This year will be Ryan’s sixth season in Major League Rugby.

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 last year in San Diego with the Legion and played in 11 games with a total of 350 minutes played. He was credited with 37 tackles and 99 meters on his 28 ball carries. He enters the 2023 season with 43 career MLR appearances.

The tighthead prop has deeply rooted connections to the city of Chicago, playing club rugby there at various times throughout his career. Ryan has seven test caps for the United States Men’s National Team.

The Chicago Hounds kick off their inaugural season in Major League Rugby on February 18th at 1:00 PM CST when they take on Old Glory DC at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia. Broadcast information will be available shortly. Fans can watch the Hounds play live at SeatGeek Stadium for the home opener against the Utah Warriors on Sunday, March 5th. For this week only, season ticket packages start at only $200. Buy your tickets today here.

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ABOUT CHICAGO HOUNDS:

The Chicago Hounds are a professional rugby team competing in Major League Rugby (MLR), North America’s professional rugby competition. The Hounds were named as an expansion franchise in 2022 and are set to play their Inaugural Season in 2023 at SeatGeek Stadium.