Trio Set for First Starts as Arrows Welcome Free Jacks to YLS
April 14, 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 clash against the New England Free Jacks.
The tight five remains intact week over week, and it's minor alterations across the back row: Mason Flesch returns from the injured reserve to start at blindside flanker, and captain Lucas Rumball shifts from No. 8 to his primary openside flanker role. Shay Kerry will fill the gap at the back of the scrum, marking his first start for the club.
Mitch Richardson slides from the wing to outside centre, with Dawson Fatoric and Peter Nelson tabbed to make their first club starts at wing and fullback, respectively.
The bench features Connor Grindal, who is in contention to make his Arrows debut, as well as Mitch Eadie, who is back to full fitness.
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.
The Arrows (1-6; 8 points) hold a 1-3 all-time record against the Free Jacks (5-2; 25 points); the Massachusetts outfit swept the season series in 2021 before the two teams shared the spoils with a home victory apiece last year.
Saturday's game will kick off at 6 p.m. ET from York Lions Stadium, with tickets starting at $20. A curtain raiser between the Arrows Academy and the Quebec Senior Men - the Academy program's season opener - will be played at 3 p.m. ET across the road at Alumni Stadium.
The Eastern Conference clash will be shown on TSN2, 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.
Toronto Arrows Lineup vs. New England Free Jacks:
Ramon Ayarza
Gene Syminton
Lolani Faleiva
Mike Sheppard (VC)
Adrian Wadden
Mason Flesch
Lucas Rumball (C)
Shay Kerry
Ross Braude
Shane O'Leary
Dawson Fatoric
Noel Reid
Mitch Richardson
D'Shawn Bowen
Peter Nelson
Jack McRogers
Connor Grindal
Nik Hildebrand
Mitch Eadie
James O'Neill
Will Grant
Fabian Goodall [wearing no number]
Kobe Faust
Injury / Recovery List: Ciaran Breen, Cole Davis, Travis Larsen, Sam Malcolm, Conan O'Donnell, Avery Oitomen, Tyler Rowland, Isaac Salmon, Tautalatasi Tasi, Corey Thomas
Long-Term Injured Reserve: Nic Benn, Micaiah Torrance-Read
Squad Notes:
Dawson Fatoric, Shay Kerry and Peter Nelson are set to make their first starts for the club
Connor Grindal stands to make his Arrows debut off the bench
Eight 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), Lucas Rumball (47 caps), Mike Sheppard (11 caps)
Ramon Ayarza (12 caps) is a full Chilean international
Noel Reid (1 cap) is a full Irish international
Week 9 Milestone Watch:
200 - The club is two tries away (198) from reaching 200 total tries scored in MLR play
600 - Lucas Rumball is one tackle away (599) from becoming the 1st Arrow to reach this career milestone
1,000 - Mason Flesch is 42 minutes away from reaching 1,000 in his MLR career
Major League Rugby Stories from April 14, 2023
- Trio Set for First Starts as Arrows Welcome Free Jacks to YLS - Toronto Arrows
- Hounds Add Chicago-Born Justice Nkombua - Chicago Hounds
- Trio Set for First Starts as Arrows Welcome Free Jacks to YLS - Toronto Arrows
- Scrum Successes Help Warriors Lock Down Wins Ahead of Seattle Matchup - Utah Warriors
- Academy Lineup Announced for 2023 Season Opener against Quebec - Toronto Arrows
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