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The Toronto Arrows have confirmed their coaching staff for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. As expected there are changes with Peter Smith promoted to Head Coach and former Chile prop Francisco Deformes hired as the new Forwards Coach.
Smith takes over the lead role from Chris Silverthorn, who has moved to a new role within the organization as Director of Player Development. Silverthorn has been Head Coach since the team’s inception but will now focus on identifying new Canadian talent with the potential to play at the professional level.
After helping the Seattle Seawolves lift the inaugural MLR Shield in 2018, Smith opted to hang up the boots and joined the Arrows as an Attack Coach. The Australian also played professionally in Wales and Japan. At 33 years old he will be the youngest Head Coach in MLR, edging new Dallas hire Michael Hodge by two months.
Joining the team as Forwards Coach is Deformes, a long-time member of the Cóndores front row with more than a decade’s worth of experience as a professional player in Europe. Since retiring the 41-year-old has been a specialist scrum coach in New Zealand, most recently with Bunnings NPC Premiership table-toppers Hawke’s Bay.
Cory Hector returns as an assistant and will serve as both Backs Coach and Director of the Arrows Academy. Also returning are Performance Analyst Rodin Lozada and S&C Coach Sean Harrison. Former Wales and Lions coach Rob Howley continues his role as a consultant.
TORONTO ARROWS 2022 STAFF
Head Coach: Peter Smith
Assistant Coach, Backs / Academy Director: Cory Hector
Assistant Coach, Forwards: Francisco Deformes
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Sean Harrison
Performance Analyst: Rodin Lozada
Director of Player Development: Chris Silverthorn
Team Manager: Neil MacDougall
Head Athletic Therapist: Scott Shannon
Team Physician: Dr. John Gillis
