Arrows Announce Lineup for 2023 Home Opener
April 7, 2023 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
Toronto Arrows News Release
TORONTO, ON - Toronto Arrows Head Coach Peter Smith has named his starting lineup for Saturday's home opener against the New York Ironworkers.
Gene Syminton draws in at the hooker position, shifting Ramon Ayarza from hooker to loosehead prop - the Chilean's secondary position and a role he's assumed many times throughout his professional career - and Lolani Faleiva across the front row to tighthead prop.
The now-fit Adrian Wadden returns to the lineup to start at lock, while captain Lucas Rumball moves from the flank to the back of the scrum at the No. 8 position. Rumball's vacant blindside flanker slot is filled by 2022 first-round draft pick Owain Ruttan.
Canadian international fly-half Shane O'Leary is set to make his first start for the club after his activation off the injured reserve, with Sam Malcolm dropping back to fullback.
It's wholesale changes on the wing, as Mitch Richardson returns from injury and D'Shawn Bowen earns his first start after last week's club debut as a second-half substitute.
The bench features a trio of recent signees, with Arrows returnee Marc-Antoine Ouellet, English lock Shay Kerry and Canadian international fly-half Peter Nelson all in contention to make their season debuts - and in the case of the latter two, their Arrows debuts - if called upon.
The Arrows (1-5; 6 points) fell to the Ironworkers (3-3; 15 points) earlier this season, dropping a 39-3 away decision in Week 2. Toronto holds a 3-4 all-time record against New York, with the two clubs splitting the season series in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
Saturday's game will kick off at 4 p.m. ET from York Lions Stadium, with tickets starting at $20.
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