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The second half of the Major League Rugby season officially begins in Toronto. Old Glory DC will take on the Arrows at York Lions Stadium, the first of six games this weekend. They have met on three previous occasions with the Arrows winning each including a one-sided match at Leesburg in February.
While that result was encouraging, it’s been a season of mixed emotions for the Arrows. Ordinarily a 4-4 record played mostly on the road would be worth cheering, but the searing pace set by New England and followed closely by ATL and New York makes for an uphill climb if Toronto are to make the playoffs.
The problematic injury situation has grown to 14 this week with scrumhalf Chris Bell hurting his ankle and center Ueta Tufuga out with a chest knock. It’s down to bare-bones in the backline but there is a boost with the signings of Riley DiNardo and Gordon McRorie during the week.
DiNardo is handed his first start a little over two years since his last Arrows appearance. McRorie, despite being the senior of the two, will make his MLR debut from the bench. Mitch Richardson steps in for Tufuga at outside center and Mitch Voralek is handed his first start on the wing. Spencer Jones is fit enough to take up a spot among the reserves.
Two bruising battles in a row sees some rotation up front. Jack McRogers and Tyler Rowland come into the front row, and Kyle Baillie wears the No6 shirt. Andrew Quattrin, Isaac Salmon, and Lucas Rumball will feature as replacements this week.
The Head Coach role for Old Glory has now formally changed hands as Nate Osborne takes charge for the first time. He watched his new team give New York an awful fright last weekend and will be optimistic despite the 0-8 record. Osborne has already added his touch to the backline selection.
Thretton Palamo comes straight back into the midfield after proving his fitness last weekend. Junior Sa’u shifts to the wing, and there is a recall for Rohan Saifoloi at flyhalf. Mike Dabulas moves to fullback with Renata Roberts-Te Nana on the wing. Peni Lasaqa is the odd man out and takes up a spot on the bench.
Injury has ruled out Facundo Gattas so Rob Irimescu comes back in at hooker. In better news Jack Iscaro returns at loosehead prop with Kyle Stewart switching to his favored tighthead spot. Dacoda Worth joins the bench with Api Naikatini a late scratch. Felix Kalapu and Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz are each serving the last week of their suspensions.
Cool and drizzly weather is on the forecast which generally tilts games towards a more tactical approach. That certainly leans in Toronto’s favor, who have a stronger pack both in experience and depth. Old Glory has a superior backline which will make things interesting, but if the Arrows can limit DC’s opportunities this is the home side’s game to lose.
Kickoff is set for noon local time, 9am Pacific. Canadian viewers can watch on TSN 2 or their digital services. A local broadcast is available on NBC Sports Washington, with The Rugby Network streaming across the USA and abroad.
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Cole Keith, 2 Jack McRogers, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Mike Sheppard (capt.), 5 Paul Ciulini, 6 Kyle Baillie, 7 James O’Neill, 8 Ronan Foley, 9 Riley DiNardo, 10 Sam Malcolm, 11 Mitch Voralek, 12 Guiseppe du Toit, 13 Mitch Richardson, 14 Johnny Sheridan, 15 Conor McCann
Replacements: 16 Andrew Quattrin, 17 Lolani Faleiva, 18 Isaac Salmon, 19 Lucas Rumball, 20 Ollie Nott, 21 Gordon McRorie, 22 Spencer Jones, 23 Will Kelly
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Rob Irimescu, 3 Kyle Stewart, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Stan South, 6 Cory Daniel, 7 Dom Bailey, 8 Luke Campbell, 9 Danny Tusitala (capt.), 10 Rohan Saifoloi, 11 Junior Sa’u, 12 Thretton Palamo, 13 William Talataina, 14 Renata Roberts-Te Nana, 15 Mike Dabulas
Replacements: 16 Mo Katz, 17 Jack Carroll, 18 Jake Ilnicki, 19 Fintan Coleman, 20 Dacoda Worth, 21 Danny Thomas, 22 Owen Sheehy, 23 Peni Lasaqa
Date: Saturday, April 9
Venue: York Lions Stadium, Toronto
Kickoff: 12:00 local (09:00 Pacific)
Referee: Cisco Lopez (USA)
Assistants: Michael Jones (Canada) & Peter Pender (Canada)
TMO: Andrew Hosie (Canada)
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Washington, The Rugby Network, TSN 2
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-02-26 – Old Glory DC 5, Toronto Arrows 29 (Segra Field)
2021-07-04 – Toronto Arrows 34, Old Glory DC 28 (Lupo Family Field)
2021-04-03 – Old Glory DC 19, Toronto Arrows 40 (Segra Field)
