Arrows Announce Return of Flanker O'Neill
October 23, 2023 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
Toronto Arrows News Release
TORONTO, ON - The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce that flanker James O'Neill has re-signed with the club for the 2024 Major League Rugby season.
O'Neill, 25, is returning to the Arrows for a third campaign after featuring in 25 matches (13 starts) for the club since debuting in 2022.
"The 2024 MLR season offers this club the opportunity to start fresh," said O'Neill. "I know we'll be taking our learnings from 2023 into this campaign, but we won't be dwelling on the past. This year is all about moving forward and rebuilding."
"Bill's passing is very saddening to say the least, but it'll provide us another level of motivation as we'll do everything we can to make the playoffs."
"Personally, I'm excited to come back to Toronto and get after it. I love our fans and I truly believe that we have the best fans in the MLR. If they stood by us through last season, I know they'll stand by us through anything. I want to give them something to cheer about and make them proud."
"See y'all real soon."
Acquired via trade prior to the 2022 MLR season, the five-foot-eleven, 225-pound forward produced 711 carry metres on 115 carries, 418 ruck arrivals, 190 tackles, 13 breakdown steals, 11 defenders beaten and two tries over his first two campaigns with the club. Following his rookie season, O'Neill was recognized with Club Man of the Year honours at the team's annual awards ceremony.
Internationally, O'Neill featured for Canada at two World Rugby Under-20 Trophy tournaments, first as an under-ager in 2017, and again in 2018 with the captaincy role.
The Cochrane, Alta. native is a graduate of the University of Victoria, where he notably captained his Vikes side to the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship title in 2019.
Following the 2023 MLR season, O'Neill returned home to Alberta to help deliver grassroots rugby development programs across the Calgary area. He was also named an assistant coach on the men's rugby program's staff at the University of Calgary.
"We're excited to have James back for 2024," said Tim Matthews, Toronto Arrows Vice President and General Manager. "He plays with grit and determination, and is a formidable competitor. He's like a dog on a bone when it comes to the task at hand."
"He's got that first-to-arrive, last-to-leave work ethic when it comes to being a professional - playing, training, mentoring younger players, you name it - and is just as committed to raising the team standard as he is to seeing his teammates succeed."
A graduate of Rugby Canada's national development academy program, O'Neill also played his grassroots rugby with the Calgary Canucks.
The club will be making additional signing announcements in the coming weeks as 2024 season preparations continue to build.
Major League Rugby Stories from October 23, 2023
- Arrows Announce Return of Flanker O'Neill - Toronto Arrows
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