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The Toronto Arrows have confirmed four returning players for the 2021 Major League Rugby season and one new addition. Argentina XV standout Juan Cruz González joins with contract extensions for Richie Asiata, Steven Ng, Kolby Francis, and Spencer Jones.
González, 27, arrives from Spain where he has been playing for CAU Madrid in Spain’s second division. In June 2018 he had announced his retirement due to a back injury, but after a year on the sidelines made a stunning recovery and returned to star with his home club CUBA before heading to Europe.
An exciting attacking runner, González can play both flyhalf and fullback. It’s the latter where he is expected to play for Toronto as a direct replacement for departed Sam Malcolm. ‘Joton’ has represented Los Pumas on the World Sevens Series and featured in both the 2016 and 2018 Americas Rugby Championship Dream Team selected by ARN.
Australia u20 cap Asiata enjoyed his first season with Toronto despite its early cancellation. The 24-year-old proved a dynamic attacker with ball in hand and played both prop positions. He should focus on loosehead in 2021 with an incoming tighthead set to complement Cole Keith and Tyler Rowland.
Ng is one of two players who have featured in every MLR game for the Arrows. Though he currently plays second string to incumbent Andrew Quattrin in Toronto, the 22-year-old u20 international remains on Canada’s radar and many consider test opportunities to be in his grasp.
Another promising forward, 23-year-old Francis has featured in 18 games through two seasons while scoring five tries. At 6’5″ (1.95m) he is a formidable presence with ball in hand and covers second row as well as his preferred No8 position.
Jones returns having missed the entirety of the 2020 campaign due to injury. Still a month shy of 23rd birthday, the Canadian-born and New Zealand-raised midfielder turned heads in 2019 with his running lines and distribution skills. He will look to regain a starting spot in 2021.
