Ospreys sign Canadian international flanker Chauncey O'Toole to one-year deal - Rugby
Swansea based Welsh Rugby Union club, Ospreys, has announced the signing of Canadian international second row forward, Chauncey O'Toole. Officials at the club have confirmed the signing of the utility forward O'Toole in a statement released on their website
on Saturday, August 6.
O’Toole caught the eye of rugby selectors during the 2011 Churchill Cup tournament. Ospreys have handed over a year contract to the Canadian international and the player will join the club at the end of their 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign.
The 25-year-old O’Toole has expressed his excitement on his new professional senior rugby union club. He termed Ospreys as one of the top rugby union clubs of the world and expressed his hope to play and compete with the European players.
O’Toole added, “I'm very grateful to have been given the opportunity by the region and can't wait to join up with the squad after the Rugby World Cup.”
Ospreys head coach, Scott Johnson, has expressed his delight at securing the services of the international flanker for the club. He added that his inclusion has strengthened his squad for their 2012 season’s campaign.
Johnson further added, “Having spent time with him in Canada recently and got to know him, I can see that he will bring to the region the right desire, commitment and grit that we want our players to have as we move forward on and off the field.”
Ospreys Chief Operations Officer, Andrew h**e, expressed his excitement at the signing of O’Toole, particularly as they face tough competition from the other European clubs, to sign the talented flanker and number 8 player.
h**e said, “Chauncey is a player who has developed a reputation as an exciting player capable of competing against world class players and we are delighted to be able to add him to our squad for the coming season, especially given the interest in him from
teams in both the Aviva Premiership and the PRO12.”
6 feet 2 inches tall O’Toole made his international debut for the Canada in 2009 against the touring Irish side. Since then, he has made 10 appearances for Canada, which include eight starts and has scored 15 points.
O’Toole has already been named to Canada’s final 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC campaign. His deal with the Ospreys is his first professional full time contract with a senior rugby union club. Earlier in 2010/11 season, he joined the Scottish professional
rugby union club, Glasgow Warriors. He played just one game with the Warriors and left the club in a month’s time.
The signing of O’Toole is good news for the future of the Canadian rugby because such opportunities allow players to improve their skills and then bolster the national side.
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