Canada's Tyler Ardron set to swap French clubs this summer

After six seasons with Castres, Canada’s Tyler Ardron is set to leave the club at the conclusion of this year’s Top 14. With Dalton Papali’i’s impending arrival at the club, Ardron is now considering his next career move.

It won’t be the lock’s final season in France, however, as he is currently holding talks with a few clubs from France’s top divisions, with the likes of Pro D2’s Biarritz Olympique in pole position to add the 34-year-old to their ranks.

The French Basque club is currently fighting to avoid relegation, ranked in 13th place with nine rounds still to go.

Ardron, who took his first steps as a senior player for the Ontario Blues, was signed by the Ospreys in 2013, remaining with the club for several years before heading to New Zealand in 2017.

In the Land of the Long White Cloud, the lock featured first for Bay of Plenty before making the jump to Super Rugby side, the Chiefs. At the Hamilton-based side, Ardron was pinpointed as one of the franchise’s best players, scoring five tries over the course of 32 games.

Fixture

Top 14

Castres

26 - 31

Full-time

Stade Rochelais

All Stats and Data

As for his time as a Canadian international, Ardron made his Test debut in 2012, helping Canada defeat the United States 28-25. He would amass 39 caps for his country, helping the Maple Leaf side qualify for two Rugby World Cups, before taking an almost six-year hiatus from the national team.

In 2025, he made a spectacular comeback to the Test scene by helping Canada earn another World Cup qualification, scoring four tries in his side’s 34-20 win over the USA, earning the Player of the Match accolade.

Although Ardron did not play in the remaining Pacific Nations Cup matches, his contribution was vital to the team’s turnaround. He will be 36 before Australia 2027, but remains on Steve Meehan’s shortlist.