Jason Higgins Bio
Jason Higgins is an Irish-born Canadian rugby union player, currently playing for the Chicago Hounds of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the Canadian national team. His preferred position is scrum-half, the pivotal playmaking role that links forwards and backs. Standing 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) tall and weighing 89 kg (196 lb), Higgins combines the vision and decision-making expected of a modern scrum-half with a strong physical presence around the breakdown.
Early Life and Background
Jason Higgins was born on 28 March 1995 in Cork, Ireland. Growing up in one of Ireland’s most storied rugby cities, he was surrounded by a strong local rugby culture that helped shape his early interest in the game. Cork is widely recognized for its community clubs and schools that have produced numerous professional players across the decades.
Details about Higgins’s formal education and family background have not been publicly confirmed, and the available sources focus primarily on his professional playing record. What is clear is that his upbringing in Cork gave him direct exposure to competitive rugby from a young age, an environment that helped him develop the skills required to compete at the senior level.
Path to Professional Rugby
Higgins began his senior professional career in 2020, joining Rugby United New York for the Major League Rugby season. That same year, he moved to Rugby United New York and established himself as a promising scrum-half in the North American league. His transition from Irish amateur rugby to the professional ranks in North America was swift, and he adapted to the faster pace and physical demands of MLR within a single season.
In 2021, Higgins signed for the Toronto Arrows ahead of the 2021 Major League Rugby season, taking another step forward in his development. That year also marked his entry into the international stage, as he made his debut for Canada in the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers. These early moves across multiple MLR franchises allowed him to broaden his tactical understanding and play under different coaching philosophies.
Jason Higgins Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Jason Higgins opened his professional career with Rugby United New York during the 2020 Major League Rugby season, an important first chapter that introduced him to the rigors of the league. Although his time with the New York side was brief, the experience provided essential game time at the senior professional level. It also gave him the platform to showcase the passing accuracy and game management that would define his career.
In 2021, Higgins joined the Toronto Arrows for the 2021 Major League Rugby season, continuing his progression through MLR. The Toronto environment offered a competitive roster and a clear rugby identity, allowing him to refine his communication with forwards and his kicking game. His strong form with the Arrows helped lay the foundation for his call-up to the Canadian national team later that year.
San Diego Legion Era (2022–2023)
In January 2022, the San Diego Legion announced that Higgins had signed with the club, marking a significant step in his Major League Rugby journey. San Diego has long been regarded as one of MLR’s flagship franchises, and the move placed Higgins within a squad built around experienced international players. The Legion’s structured attack and disciplined forward pack gave him a stable platform from which to control tempo.
During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Higgins established himself as a dependable scrum-half who could manage territory and dictate the pace of matches. His tenure with the Legion coincided with his continued development at the international level, as he represented Canada in Rugby World Cup qualifiers during this period. By the time of his departure, he had become a respected figure in the San Diego dressing room.
Chicago Hounds Era (2024–Present)
The Chicago Hounds acquired Higgins for the 2024 Major League Rugby season through a trade with the San Diego Legion, which sent Hugh Roach to the Legion in exchange. The move signaled Chicago’s intent to strengthen its halfback ranks with an experienced MLR campaigner. The trade gave Higgins a fresh start in a growing franchise and a chance to help shape the team’s identity in its early MLR campaigns.
Since joining the Hounds, Higgins has continued to feature as a starting scrum-half and a key leader in the back line. His combination of quick distribution, tactical kicking, and breakdown awareness has been central to the Hounds’ offensive structure. As of the 2025 season, he remains a central figure in the team’s plans and a respected veteran of the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a scrum-half, Higgins excels at reading the speed of the game and making rapid decisions at the base of the ruck. His strengths include sharp passing accuracy, intelligent game management, and the ability to vary his kicking game to apply territorial pressure. He is also recognized for his communication with forwards, an essential trait for a player who must coordinate attacking phases and defensive shape.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Higgins’s career came in 2021, when he made his debut for Canada in the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers, marking his arrival on the international stage. His trade from the San Diego Legion to the Chicago Hounds in 2024 also stands out as a significant career moment, reflecting his rising value in Major League Rugby.
Jason Higgins Career Wins
Jason Higgins’s career has been defined by consistency at the scrum-half position across multiple Major League Rugby franchises. From his debut with Rugby United New York in 2020 to his current role with the Chicago Hounds, he has built a reputation as a reliable playmaker in North American rugby. While specific win totals are not fully documented in available sources, his progression through four MLR teams and into the Canadian national team reflects a steady upward trajectory in the sport.
Major League Rugby Highlights
Across his Major League Rugby career, Higgins has played for Rugby United New York, the Toronto Arrows, the San Diego Legion, and the Chicago Hounds. His first full MLR season came in 2020 with Rugby United New York, and he has remained a fixture in the league ever since. His most recent chapter with the Chicago Hounds has positioned him as a senior halfback within the franchise, while his earlier years with the San Diego Legion helped cement his credentials as a top-level MLR scrum-half.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his club commitments, Higgins has represented Canada on the international stage, debuting in the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers. His selection for the national team underscores the trust placed in his abilities by Canadian rugby selectors. Detailed records of regional titles or additional honors are not currently available in verified sources.
Jason Higgins Family
Family Background and Rugby Lineage
Public information about Jason Higgins’s family background remains limited, and no verified details about parents or relatives have been confirmed in available sources. His Irish upbringing in Cork, a city with deep rugby traditions, suggests an early immersion in the sport, though specific family connections to rugby have not been publicly documented.
Personal Life
Details about Jason Higgins’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, have not been publicly confirmed in available sources. He continues his professional rugby career in North America while representing Canada internationally.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 Major League Rugby season, Jason Higgins remains a key figure for the Chicago Hounds after joining the franchise through a 2024 trade with the San Diego Legion. His experience across multiple MLR teams has made him a stabilizing presence in the Hounds’ halfback division. The franchise will look to his leadership and game management as it continues to build its identity within the league.
On the international stage, Higgins remains part of the Canadian national team setup following his 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifier debut. His continued selection reflects his form at club level and his value as a composed distributor in high-pressure matches. He is expected to play a central role in Canada’s rugby ambitions during the 2025 calendar year.
Looking ahead, Higgins’s combination of MLR experience and international caps positions him as a veteran presence for both the Chicago Hounds and Canada. His ability to control tempo and execute under pressure will continue to influence the outcome of tight contests. As the 2025 season unfolds, he is likely to remain a central figure in his team’s pursuit of playoff success.