Irish center Will Leonard played in Major League Rugby between 2019-2024. He represented Rugby United New York (2019-2021), Rugby ATL (2022-2023) and Rugby FC LA (2024).

Leonard began playing with Shannon RFC in County Limerick, Ireland at the age of 6, and played rugby with Crescent Comprehensive College between 2011-2014, helping the school to it’s first Munster School Senior Cup in 19 years, and winning back-to-back cups in 2013-2014. Leonard then attended the University of Limerick between 2014-2018, graduating with First Class Honours. He also remained playing with Shannon RFC and was named All Munster Provincial Player of the Year during the 2017/18 season.

In 2019, Leonard headed stateside to join Rugby United New York for their inaugural season, and representing them for 3 seasons between 2019-2021, earning 31 MLR appearances (29 starts), scoring 6 tries and gaining over 1,500m with New York alone. During the 2021 season, he also completed 198 tackles placing him 6th league-wide. For the 2022 season, Leonard moved to Rugby ATL and spent 2 seasons with the RATLers, earning a further 30 appearances (29 starts) and 5 tries including 4 in 2022 when he ran up 1,267m gained with ball in hand and finishing 8th in MLR. On March 18th 2023, Leonard became the 35th player in MLR history to reach 50 games played in the league.

Following the 2023 season, MLR and Rugby ATL announced that a new ownership group had taken over the franchise, and were relocating the team to Los Angeles for 2024. Leonard followed the team to LA, and played in their inaugural season, scoring 2 tries in 9 games (7 starts). Ahead of the 2024 season, World Rugby also granted Leonard US-eligibility on grounds of residency, along with fellow Irishman and former New York teammate Mark O’Keeffe.

achievements

• 35th player in MLR history to reach 50 caps
• 8th in MLR Meters Gained: 2022 (1,267m)
• 6th in MLR Tackling: 2021 (198)