Hubert Buydens is set to to take part in Major League Rugby. The Canadian loosehead prop will join the New Orleans Gold franchise for the inaugural season of the newest American professional competition. Currently playing for the Castaway Wanderers club in Victoria, he will travel to Montevideo with Canada ‘A’ next month for the Americas Pacific Challenge with an eye to adding to his 43 test caps having recovered from a long-term knee injury.

The 35-year-old captained his country during the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship before playing for the San Diego Breakers during the 2016 PRO Rugby season. Prior to that the Saskatoon native enjoyed a two-season stint with the Manawatu Turbos in New Zealand’s provincial competition. He also represented the Prairie Wolf Pack in the recent Canadian Rugby Championship. Buydens has participated in two World Cups, gaining notoriety as part of the ‘Beardos’ at the 2011 tournament in New Zealand.

Major League Rugby will kick off its first regular season in April 2018. Eight teams across the USA are set to take part. Buydens is the first Canadian to be confirmed for the new competition but more are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.