Toronto Arrows Announce Signing of Irish International Back Reid
October 27, 2022 – Major League Rugby (MLR) – Toronto Arrows News Release
TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce the signing of Irish international back Noel Reid for the 2023 Major League Rugby season.
Reid, 32, will arrive at the club having most recently featured for London Irish, where the 11-year professional saw out the latter stages of the 2021-22 Premiership Rugby season.
“Major League Rugby is an exciting league on the rise, and obviously the level of rugby is only getting better and better,” said Reid. “I’m now in a position in my career where I can pick an opportunity I truly want to take, as opposed to one I have to take, and the prospect of a season in North America and playing for a club like the Arrows is an opportunity that really piques my interest.”
“I’ve never been to Canada before, but I’ve only heard fantastic things about both the city of Toronto and the Arrows organization. The more I’ve learned, the more excited I’m getting about making the move and kicking off the season.”
“I want to bring as much value to the team as I can, both on and off the pitch. I’ve played 11 seasons in Europe and have picked up quite a bit along way, and I’m looking forward to using my experience from this side of the world to bring value to my new team and new teammates in Toronto.”
Primarily deployed as a midfielder but comfortable slotting in at fly-half, Reid began his professional career with Leinster in 2012, and would go on to make more than 120 appearances and score more than 100 points for his home provincial side across seven seasons with the then-Pro12/Pro14 club.
Following stints with Premiership side Leicester Tigers (2019-2020) and French Top 14 club Agen (2020-2022), the six-foot-one, 205-pound back returned to England earlier this year for brief spell with London Irish.
At the international level, Reid made his senior debut for Ireland when coming off the bench against Argentina in June 2014, and was selected for senior development sides Emerging Ireland and Ireland Wolfhounds between 2013 and 2015.
The Dubliner also represented his country at the age-grade level, featuring at both the 2009 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship.
Reid played his grassroots rugby with school side St. Michael’s College in Dublin, and later with All-Ireland League club Clontarf.
“Noel comes to us as a capped player from a top rugby power,” said Mark Winokur, Toronto Arrows Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “He has plenty of experience at the highest levels of club and international rugby, and can play several positions very well.”
“We are keen to see him fit into our backline this season, and we welcome a very solid citizen to the team room.”
The club will be making additional signing announcements in the coming weeks as 2023 season preparations continue to build.
The window to place a deposit to secure 2023 season memberships for the lowest possible price is now open. Earlybird pricing packages for the club’s home matches at York Lions Stadium start at just $70 for a limited time only.
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