OSHAWA, Ont. - Fresh off another championship season, the Durham Lords women's rugby program has bolstered its roster with two marquee signings, welcoming Sarah Clayton and Taylor Wood to the squad.

"Bringing in athletes like Sarah and Taylor is a huge step forward for our program," said Head Coach Chris McKee. "They both have a proven ability to perform at the highest level, and just as importantly, they fit perfectly into the culture we've built here."

Whitby's Clayton has showcased her versatility on the field, excelling in multiple positions, including fly-half, inside centre, and scrum half. With her impressive background, including stints with Toronto Rugby Union (TRU) U19 15s, TRU U18 7s, and Ontario U16, she brings a winning mentality and a track record of success.

In addition to her achievements at the club level, Clayton has also earned several accolades, including a silver medal at the Ontario Summer Games in 2022 and a gold medal in 2024. She was part of the championship-winning provincial gold 15s team in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Joining the Lords is a natural fit for Clayton, who was drawn to Durham College for its renowned firefighter program and strong reputation for hands-on training. The opportunity to continue playing the sport she loves in a competitive and supportive environment was an added bonus.

"I was drawn to Durham's rugby team because of its competitive spirit, strong team culture, and the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love while building lifelong skills like leadership and resilience," she said. "The combination of academics and athletics made Durham the perfect fit for me."

Wood, an Uxbridge native, joins the Lords after an impressive career at McMaster University, where she was a two-time OUA All-Star, Varsity MVP, and Rookie of the Year. 

Taylor has significant experience playing both centre and wing. She has also played for the Ontario Women's Rugby team and has multiple All-Star appearances in the provincial league. 

She is also a member of the Oshawa Vikings Club, where she has been named Young Player of the Year and MVP. 

In addition to being a talented player, Wood is also a proven winner. She lists her favourite rugby memory as winning the Tropical 7's in 2025. 

For Wood, the decision to join the Lords was an easy one. 

"I chose Durham College because of the excellent and welcoming team dynamic, amazing coaching staff, and the intriguing program I am in," said Wood.

When they arrive to campus in September, Sarah will be studying in the Firefighter - Pre-Service Education and Training program, while Taylor is enrolled in Clinical Bioinformatics.

The women's rugby team open their season in Belleville at 10:00 AM on September 13 against the Loyalist Lancers. Their home games this season are scheduled across September 20-21 at Thompson Rugby Park.

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