Canadian utility back Josh Thiel played in Major League Rugby between 2019-2021. He represented the San Diego Legion for his entire MLR career.

A native of Abbotsford in British Columbia, Josh Thiel comes from a rugby family. both him and his brother Jake have represented the Canadian Sevens side, and both his mother, Jen Ross and father, Jon Thiel represented Canada international developed in the BC Men’s Premier Division. He played with Abbotsford RFC from 2015-16, then the BC Bears, James Bay Athletics Association, and the Pacific Pride in 2018-19. In 2017 Thiel played with the Canadian U20s and the following year he represented the Canada A side before earning his test debut for Canada against Chile in the 2018 American Rugby Championship.

Thiel entered MLR in 2020, signing with the San Diego Legion and earning his pro debut before the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the season after only 5 rounds, with the Legion sat 5-0. He returned with San Diego the following season and earned his first career start, before heading to represent Canada on the World Sevens Series later that year. Thiel spent a 3rd season with the Legion in 2022 where he earned the 6 of his 8 career MLR appearances. Following the MLR season he also earned another pair of test caps for Canada, in their autumn internationals against the Netherlands and Namibia.

Jake Thiel has not played in MLR since 2022. He joined the Vancouver Highlands for their exhibition season in 2024, and represented the BC Bears against the Ontario Blues in May of 2026.