Conor Keys Bio
Conor Harris Keys, known professionally as Conor Keys, is a Canadian rugby union player who generally plays as a lock and represents Canada internationally. He currently plays for the New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States, where he has been part of a sustained run of team success. A tall and physical forward, Keys made his first Rugby World Cup appearance in 2019 in Japan, establishing himself as a reliable presence in the Canadian second row.
Early Life and Background
Conor Harris Keys was born on 9 July 1996 in Stittsville, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in a household shaped by sport and by his father’s transatlantic move to Canada from the United Kingdom. His father began playing rugby after settling in the country, and the family quickly became involved in the local rugby community.
Keys was first taken to a live match at the 2006 Churchill Cup, an experience that sparked his lasting interest in the sport. He went on to play for the Sacred Heart Catholic High School Huskies, developing his skills in a competitive school environment. His progression continued through the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union team, where he sharpened the fundamentals that would later support his rise into the senior ranks.
Path to Rugby
After his formative years in Ontario, Keys moved west to attend the University of Victoria, where he played university-level rugby and earned his first national recognition. While studying and competing for the university, he was called up to the Canadian U20 side, gaining valuable representative experience at a young age.
Those performances at the university and age-grade levels led to his first senior caps for Canada’s men’s XV, marking his transition from a promising prospect to a fully capped international forward. His development through the Canadian development pathways positioned him for a professional career abroad, beginning in England.
Conor Keys Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Conor Keys began his professional career in 2017 with the Rotherham Titans in England, where he spent two seasons developing his craft as a lock. Playing in a competitive English rugby environment allowed him to adjust to the physical and tactical demands of professional rugby on a weekly basis.
During his time at Rotherham, Keys continued to balance club duties with his growing international commitments with Canada. The experience of training and playing in England helped him build the strength and conditioning base that has defined his approach as a senior forward.
Major League Rugby Breakthrough (2020–2022)
In 2020, Conor Keys moved to the United States to join Rugby ATL, marking his entry into Major League Rugby. Over two seasons with the Atlanta-based franchise, he made 36 appearances and became a regular in the second row. His time at Rugby ATL helped him establish himself as a consistent MLR starter and refined his understanding of the North American professional game.
New England Free Jacks Era (2023–Present)
Conor Keys was traded to the New England Free Jacks in 2023, where he quickly became a key part of the team’s forward pack. Since arriving in New England, he has been part of a dominant era for the club, contributing to three straight MLR championship wins with the Free Jacks. His presence in the engine room has helped anchor a squad that has set the standard in the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and weighing around 260 lb (120 kg), Conor Keys brings the size, lineout athleticism, and physicality expected of a top-level lock. He is recognized for his work rate around the breakdown, his reliability in the set piece, and his willingness to carry into contact. His combination of mobility and power allows him to compete effectively in both tight and loose phases of the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Conor Keys earned his first senior cap for Canada against Chile on 11 February 2017, beginning his international career in style. He then made his Rugby World Cup debut on 26 September 2019 in Canada’s Pool B opener against Italy in Japan, a match Canada lost 48–7. More recently, his role in three consecutive MLR title runs with the New England Free Jacks has become the defining team accomplishment of his club career.
Conor Keys Career Wins
Conor Keys has built a résumé highlighted by sustained team success, particularly during his time with the New England Free Jacks. His trophy-laden stretch in New England, combined with consistent selection for Canada, marks him as one of the dependable Canadian locks of his generation.
Major League Rugby Highlights
Since joining the New England Free Jacks in 2023, Conor Keys has been part of three straight Major League Rugby championship wins, cementing the club’s status as the league’s benchmark team. Across his MLR career, including his earlier stint with Rugby ATL from 2020 to 2022, he has made 36 documented appearances in the league, with continued contributions in New England adding to that total.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his MLR titles with the Free Jacks, Keys has represented The Rock at the provincial and state level from 2016 onward, contributing to one of Canada’s longstanding high-performance programs. His selection for Canada’s 2019 Rugby World Cup squad remains a highlight of his representative career.
Conor Keys Family
Family Background and Rugby Lineage
Conor Keys comes from a family with a clear sporting and immigrant story. His father immigrated to Canada from the United Kingdom and later took up rugby, an introduction that shaped Conor’s earliest memories of the sport. It was his father who brought him to his first match at the 2006 Churchill Cup, an outing that set him on the path to a professional rugby career.
Personal Life
Outside of rugby, Conor Keys enjoys playing ice hockey and is also a talented musician, reflecting a wide range of interests beyond the rugby field. He has also worked as a mortgage agent, balancing his professional sporting commitments with a career in financial services. Publicly available details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 Major League Rugby season, Conor Keys remains a central figure in the New England Free Jacks’ forward pack as the club pursues further success following three straight championships. His familiarity with the team’s systems, combined with his physical presence in the second row, positions him as a cornerstone of the Free Jacks’ title defense.
Internationally, Keys continues to be available for selection by Canada, adding experienced lock depth to the national setup. With the 2019 Rugby World Cup already on his résumé, he remains a candidate for future representative honors as Canadian rugby builds toward the next global cycle.
Expectations around Keys in 2025 center on consistency, leadership in the lineout, and continued hard carries in tight spaces. The combination of his age, experience, and championship pedigree suggests he will remain a key contributor for both the New England Free Jacks and Canada throughout the 2025 campaign and beyond.