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The New England Free Jacks welcome the Toronto Arrows to Union Point Stadium for the first time on Saturday. With seven weeks remaining in the regular season the two sides are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and it’s getting close to do-or-die for a shot at the playoffs.
There are no Major League Rugby records between the two sides but they have met once before. It was an historic occasion as the Free Jacks played their very first game in October 2018. Hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Arrows took the win under their old Ontario banner.
Toronto arrives in Boston on the back of a much-needed bye week. A nine-week run of matches concluded with a win over the SaberCats in Houston to keep their Semi Final hopes alive. They will need another victory on Saturday to stay in touch of ATL, New York, and NOLA.
After recharging the batteries it’s an identical starting lineup this week though there are three notable changes on the bench. Tighthead prop Marc-Antoine Ouellet is set to make his professional debut as a replacement. Flyhalf Tayler Adams and fullback Joaquín Tuculet return from injury though they will be eased back into the team.
The Free Jacks are also intent on closing the gap with the Conference leaders, and start a run of five consecutive home games. New England are looking to shake off back-to-back road defeats that saw them come away with zero points from the games against ATL and New York.
Tera Mtembu’s first start comes on the blindside flank with Justin Johnson absent. Matt Wirken joins the bench as specialist lock cover. It’s the only personnel change to the run-on side though there is a significant backline reshuffle.
After playing outside center in recent weeks, Dougie Fife moves to fullback with Beaudein Waaka sliding to the right wing. Poasa Waqanibau switches from the wing to outside center.
Both teams will be keenly aware of what is at stake. A loss for either will severely dent Semi Final ambitions if not end them completely. The Arrows arrive rested and with some momentum, but the Free Jacks have won both of their previous home games. Take the visitors as slight favorites though some rain on the forecast may complicate matters.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 1pm Pacific. Those in Canada can watch the game via TSN’s digital platforms. A local broadcast will be available on NESN in New England, with The Rugby Network streaming to the rest of the USA and worldwide.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Quentin Newcomer, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Jackson Thiebes, 6 Tera Mtembu, 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Harrison Boyle, 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Aleki Morris-Lome, 13 Poasa Waqanibau, 14 Beaudein Waaka, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Vili Toluta’u, 17 Kyle Ciquera, 18 Spencer Krueger, 19 Evan Geist, 20 Matt Wirken, 21 Tom Brusati, 22 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 23 Ewan Brumwell
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Pat Lynott, 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 Will Kelly, 11 Manuel Montero, 12 Spencer Jones, 13 Ben LeSage (co-capt.), 14 Gastón Mieres, 15 Patrick Parfrey
Replacements: 16 Jack McRogers, 17 Cole Keith, 18 Marc-Antoine Ouellet, 19 Kolby Francis, 20 Mike Sheppard, 21 Andrew Ferguson, 22 Joaquín Tuculet, 23 Tayler Adams
Date: Saturday, May 29
Venue: Union Point Stadium, Weymouth
Kickoff: 16:00 local (13:00 Pacific)
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Pearce Mara (USA)
Broadcasts: NESN, The Rugby Network, TSN Direct
Historical Results
n/a
