Rugby United New York will host the Toronto Arrows in their home opener on Friday, March 15 at MCU Park in Brooklyn. Tickets are available for the match and it is being broadcast on SNY, ESPN+, Game TV and on the Toronto Arrows Facebook page.
The Americas Rugby Championship ended last week, so the teams will have their full contingent of players available for the first time this season. RUNY enters the match is 4th place with a 4-1 record and 18 points. but have a game in hand. The Toronto Arrows had a 3-3 record and are coming off a win over the San Diego Legion last week.
Match Comments
Rugby United New York Head Coach Mike Tolkin has made three changes from his starters from last week’s win over the Utah Warriors. Paddy Ryan returns at tighthead, John Quill at flanker, and Will Leonard at inside center. Callum Mackintosh and Luke Hume will be in the reserves at prop and at the back three, respectively.
Toronto Arrows Director of Rugby Chris Silverthorn has made two changes in his starters from last week’s win over the San Diego Legion. Captain Lucas Rumball returns from international duty for Canada at flanker and Gaston Mieres returns from playing with Uruguay. Cole Keith also played for Canada and is a reserve.
The match will feature two of the best scrumming teams in the league. RUNY and the Arrows are also two of the leading teams in points scored, while RUNY has the edge in conceding fewer points. The Arrows have the edge in turnovers won at the breakdown, while committing more handling errors. RUNY is a possession based team and has the edge in territory percentage, but the Arrows attack and score quickly, despite the difference in territory percentage.
The match will be a fast-paced one with both teams scoring points. Both teams need to minimize handling errors, as their kickers are capable of punishing their opponents with penalty goals.
Last week Mark O’Keeffe and Chris Mattina were named to the MLR 1st Team, while Andrew Quattrin and Avery Oitomen were named for the Arrows. Oitomen left last week’s match for an HIA and is not on the match-day squad this week.
Squads with Player Article Links
Rugby United New York: 1 James Rochford 2 Dylan Fawsitt 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Nate Brakeley 5 Trevor Cassidy 6 John Quill 7 James Denise 8 Ross Deacon 9 Mike Petri (C) 10 Cathal Marsh 11 Connor Wallace-Sims 12 Will Leonard13 Mark O’Keeffe 14 Chris Mattina15 Ben Foden16 Mike Brown17 Anthony Parry 18 Callum Mackintosh19 Matt Wirken 20 Matt Hughston 21 Marcus Walsh 22 Mike St. Claire 23 Luke Hume + Head Coach Mike Tolkin
Toronto Arrows: 1 Rob Brouwer 2 AJ Quattrin 3 Morgan Mitchell 4 Mike Sheppard 5 Paul Ciulini 6 Lucas Rumball (C) 7 Peter Milazzo 8 Jack Nay 9 Andrew Ferguson 10 Sam Malcolm 11Dan Moor (C) 12 Guiseppe du Toit 13 Spencer Jones 14 Gaston Mieres 15 Shawn Windsor16 Steven Ng 17 Tom Dolezel 18 Cole Keith 19 Tom Van Horne 20 Kolby Francis 21 Riley DiNardo 22 Jamie Leveridge 23 Johnny Sheridan + Director of Rugby, Chris Silverthorn
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