Arrows Announce All-Canadian Starting Lineup for Legion Clash
Published on June 10, 2023 under Major League Rugby (MLR)
Toronto Arrows News Release
TORONTO, ON - Toronto Arrows Head Coach Peter Smith has named his starting lineup for Sunday's home clash against the San Diego Legion, and it's one for the league record books.
For the first time in Major League Rugby's six-year history, a team's starting lineup will be composed entirely of Canadians.
The Arrows will kick off the cross-conference clash with 15 Canadians on the pitch. MLR's lone Canadian club had previously fielded 14 Canadian starters on four occasions - all falling in the organization's inaugural season in 2019 - but Sunday will mark the first instance that Toronto will begin a match with a fully-Canuck roster.
There are three week-over-week changes in the forwards, with hooker Tyler Wong and lock Mike Sheppard back to match fitness and set to start. Flanker Owain Ruttan also enters the starting pack following his two-try performance off the bench last weekend.
The backs also feature a trio of alterations: Will Grant gets the nod at scrum-half, Dawson Fatoric is tabbed to start on the wing, and Mitch Richardson returns from a three-week injury layoff to slot in at outside centre.
The bench notably includes the injection of the freshly-activated Sam Malcolm; the vice captain is set to see his first action since the club's Week 8 game against New York.
Toronto's full lineup is comprised of 18 Canadian players.
Sunday's game will kick off at 4 p.m. ET from York Lions Stadium, with tickets starting at $20.
The Arrows will wear special Vintage Edition Kits for the match. The authentic, match-worn jerseys will be signed and auctioned after the match, along with two jerseys signed by the full team. Bidding will close on Monday, June 12 at 6 p.m. ET.
The cross-conference clash will be shown on TSN3, TSN.ca, and the TSN app for Canadian audiences and will be available on The Rugby Network for American and international audiences. Additional broadcast details.
The Arrows hold a 2-1 all-time record against the Legion, with San Diego set to travel to Toronto for the first time since 2019.
Toronto Arrows Lineup vs. San Diego Legion:
Connor Grindal
Tyler Wong
Tyler Rowland
Mason Flesch
Mike Sheppard (VC)
Lucas Rumball (C)
Owain Ruttan
Travis Larsen
Will Grant
Peter Nelson
Dawson Fatoric
Liam Bowman
Mitch Richardson
D'Shawn Bowen
Shane O'Leary
Jack McRogers
Conan O'Donnell
Isaac Salmon
Shay Kerry
James O'Neill
Ross Braude
Tautalatasi Tasi
Sam Malcolm (VC)
Injury / Recovery List: Ramon Ayarza, Ciaran Breen, Cole Davis, Mitch Eadie, Lolani Faleiva, Nik Hildebrand, Avery Oitomen, Gene Syminton, Corey Thomas, Adrian Wadden
Long-Term Injured Reserve: Nic Benn, Micaiah Torrance-Read
Squad Notes:
Ten squad members are full Canadian internationals: Ross Braude (12 caps), Dawson Fatoric (2 caps), Mason Flesch (2 caps), Jack McRogers (1 cap), Peter Nelson (15 caps), Shane O'Leary (14 caps), Tyler Rowland (9 caps), Lucas Rumball (47 caps), Owain Ruttan (1 cap), Mike Sheppard (11 caps)
Week 17 Milestone Watch:
35 - Ross Braude is poised to earn his 35th club cap, becoming the 12th Arrow to reach this career milestone
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