Toronto Arrows Hosts Rugby United New York

The Toronto Arrows hosts Rugby United New York on Saturday, June 26 at 4:30 pm at Life University’s Lupo Family Field. This is the first match of a Major League Rugby doubleheader with Rugby ATL facing Old Glory DC at 8:00 pm.

The MLR Eastern Conference doubleheader has second place Rugby United New York (8-4, 41 points) facing the sixth place Toronto Arrows (4-9, 24 points). First place Rugby ATL (9-5, 46 points) follows against fifth-place Old Glory DC (4-7-1, 27 points).

Toronto defeated New York in April 53-12 and New York has since been among the league leaders. Rugby United New York will be looking to wipe out that memory with a win over the Arrows.

For Rugby United New York, this is a critical match after losing in the closing minutes to Utah 29-28 last Saturday. Both New England and NOLA Gold, who play each other Saturday, and are challengers for the top two Conference spots, which will meet in the playoffs.

This week’s match is the last one prior to players leaving for the Canada and USA internationals. The 23rd-ranked Canadians will face No. 6 Wales on July 3 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff and No. 3 England on July 10 at Twickenham Stadium in suburban London. The United States faces England on July 4 at Twickenham and Ireland on July 10 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Nine Arrows have been named to Rugby Canada’s 30-man roster for the national program’s upcoming July tour to Wales and England. They include scrum-half Ross Braude, center Spencer Jones, prop Cole Keith, fly-half Will Kelly, center Ben LeSage, utility back Pat Parfrey, hooker Andrew Quattrin, prop Tyler Rowland, and flanker Lucas Rumball.

In addition, No. 8 Manual Diana, and wings Gaston Mieres and Leandro Leivas have left for Uruguay internationals.

Rugby United New York will have five players involved internationals with locks Nate Brakeley and Nick Civetta, as well as back-row Hanco Germishuys playing for the USA, Quinn Ngawati for Canada, and Wilton Rebolo for Brazil.

Toronto Arrows

Director of Rugby Chris Silverthorn has made 9 changes in the starters from last week’s loss to NOLA Gold and 5 changes in the reserves.

Forwards changes include Jack McRogers (hooker), Tyler Rowland (tighthead prop), Mike Sheppard (lock), Tomas de la Vega (openside flanker), and Ronan Foley making his first start at No.8.

Backs changes include Jason Higgins (scrumhalf), Guiseppe du Toit (inside center), Mitch Richardson (outside center, and Tayler Adams (fullback).

Reserves changes include new arrivals Joe Tomlinson (hooker), Ollie Nott (back row), who along with Kolby Faust (center) could make their MLR debuts. Sam Malcolm (Flyhalf/fullback) will likely play in his first match of the season, since joining the team. Cole Keith (loosehead prop) returns to the roster.

Three Canadian internationals for the July tests, Tyler Rowland (tighthead prop), Will Kelly (flyhalf), and Cole Keith (loosehead prop) are on this week’s roster.

Rugby United New York

Head Coach Marty Veale has made 5 changes in the starters since last week’s narrow loss to the Utah Warriors. Both Dylan Fawsitt and James Rochford exited early and are not on the roster.

Forward changes include Sak Taulafo (loosehead prop), Wilton Rebolo (hooker), Nick Civetta (lock), and Hanco Germishuys (openside flanker) with Ben Bonasso switching to blindside flanker.

There is one change in the backs with Fa’asiu Fuatai returning at outside center, with Will Leonard and Quinn Ngawati switching to inside center and right-wing, respectively.

There are also three changes in the reserves with Anthony Parry (loosehead prop) and Troy Lockyear (back three/center) returning to the roster and Kirk Hamilton (tighthead prop) making his first roster appearance of this season.

Harry Bennett was selected to the MLR Week 14 Geico XV squad at flyhalf.