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A first-time meeting in Major League Rugby sees Old Glory DC playing host to the Toronto Arrows on Saturday afternoon. The East Conference clash did not eventuate in 2020 prior to the pandemic’s intervention, though Old Glory did play host to the Ontario Blues, a feeder side for the Arrows, in a June 2019 friendly during their inaugural exhibition campaign.
Old Glory are on the rise after claiming a come-from-behind win over Rugby ATL in the first ever rugby match at their new Segra Field home. It was a step up from the opening round draw on the road against NOLA, and was made even more impressive by the absence of star flyhalf Jason Robertson.
The Arrows, meanwhile, are feeling intense frustration after two below-par losses to start their campaign. Injuries have also played their part and will again this week, but it’s the lack of energy that has been most noticeable in the preseason favorites from the East Conference.
For DC there’s no question the danger man on offense is Danny Tusitala, who switched between the two halfback spots against ATL. Hooker Mike Sosene-Feagai was in top form and their back row trio of Callum Gibbins, Mungo Mason, and Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz is on form the best in the league.
Gibbins will settle for a spot on the bench with Canadian international Luke Campbell set for his first DC start against his former team. Other changes to the run-on side see Tusitala restored at No9 with Mike Dabulas earning the No10 shirt, and England u20 lock Stan South swaps shirts with Apisai Naikatini.
Again it’s a 6-2 split on Old Glory’s bench with Josh Brown joining Gibbins as back row cover. Max Lum takes over for Jack Iscaro as backup loosehead prop, and there is a potential pro debut for powerful Tongan midfielder Simi Moala, the younger brother of former USA and Old Glory rep Pita Moala.
Toronto’s own back row are, at their best, up to the challenge but the pack as a whole has not been firing on all cylinders just yet. In the backs there has been a revolving door in the No9 shirt and this week a new name in Ross Braude will feature. Former Pumas fullback Joaquín Tuculet is a key figure on the counter-attack after debuting against Utah.
Injuries have ruled out Leandro Leivas and Manuel Montero, however, leaving Mitch Richardson to deputise on the wing. Canada u20 grad Tyler Rowland is handed a first professional start at tighthead prop with Cole Keith moving back across to the No1 shirt. Paul Ciulini has recovered from a hamstring complaint to start in the second row.
On the bench there is versatility with both Mike Sheppard and Kolby Francis capable of playing lock or loose forward. A surprise name is Canada ‘A’ prop Liam Murray, who arrives on short-term loan from the Houston SaberCats to provide cover with Chris Atkinson also unavailable with injury and Gastón Cortes still suspended.
The home side are undeniably in better shape after two matches and could understandably be given the favorites tag, but it would be a shock to see the Arrows drop three in a row having never before suffered even back-to-back defeats. It’s a shorter trip from their temporary housing in Atlanta. Take Toronto to regain some confidence against a tricky but beatable DC.
Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 2pm Pacific. Live broadcasts will be available locally on NBC Sports Washington, on TSN 2 in Canada, and on The Rugby Network worldwide.
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jamie Dever, 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai, 3 Steven Longwell, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Stan South, 6 Luke Campbell, 7 Mungo Mason (co-capt.), 8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Mike Dabulas, 11 D’Montae Noble, 12 Doug Fraser, 13 Thretton Palamo (co-capt.), 14 Sam Cusano, 15 Renata Roberts-Te Nana
Replacements: 16 James King, 17 Max Lum, 18 Jack Carroll, 19 Apisai Naikatini, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Danny Thomas, 22 Simi Moala, 23 Josh Brown
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Cole Keith, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Adrian Wadden, 5 Paul Ciulini, 6 Tomás de la Vega, 7 Lucas Rumball (co-capt.), 8 Manuel Diana, 9 Ross Braude, 10 Tayler Adams, 11 Gastón Mieres, 12 Guiseppe du Toit, 13 Ben LeSage (co-capt.), 14 Mitch Richardson, 15 Joaquín Tuculet
Replacements: 16 Jack McRogers, 17 Pat Lynott, 18 Liam Murray, 19 Mike Sheppard, 20 Kolby Francis, 21 Jason Higgins, 22 Will Kelly, 23 Patrick Parfrey
Date: Saturday, April 3
Venue: Segra Field, Leesburg
Kickoff: 17:00 local (14:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Washington, The Rugby Network, TSN 2
Historical Results:
n/a
