Canadian centre Seth Purdey played in Major League Rugby between 2023-2025. He represented Rugby ATL (2023) and Rugby FC LA (2024-2025).

A British Columbia native, Purdey attended Shawnigan Lake School with fellow MLR-er and RFCLA player Jack Shaw, playing hockey and rugby, captaining the school rugby side in 2017 and winning multiple Triple-A Boys Championships while there. Purdey travelled to the US for university, attending UC-Berkeley between 2017-2022, playing with the Cal Varsity rugby side while there and representing the Canada U19s and U20s in 2017 & 2018, respectively. He declared for the 2022 MLR Collegiate Draft and was selected in the 1st Round, 4th overall by Rugby ATL, who signed him for the 2023 season.

Purdey earned 7 appearances and 2 starts with Rugby ATL in his rookie season before a change in ownership saw the RATLers relocate to Los Angeles. Now Rugby FC LA, Purdey followed the side to California and scored his first MLR try in 2024, adding 10 appearances and 6 starts during RFCLA’s inaugural season. On December 6th, 2024, Rugby FC LA confirmed the signing of Seth Purdey for the 2025 MLR season. He enjoyed another productive season in LA in 2025, starting 4 of his 11 appearances and scoring a further two tries with 246m gained to help RFCLA qualify for the postseason for the first time in league history, where they fell to the Houston SaberCats in the Western Conference Semifinal. With RFCLA merging with the San Diego Legion to create the California Legion following the 2025 MLR season, it is not yet known if Seth Purdey will return to MLR for 2026.

Although Purdey has represented Canada at various age-grade levels, he is yet to earn his test debut. He was invited to train with the Canadian national side ahead of their 2024 Pacific Nations Cup campaign.

achievements

• 2022 MLR Draftee: 1st Round (4th Overall) – Rugby ATL