Atlantic Selects Squad Announced for Rugby Rally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON – The Atlantic Selects have announced their squad to face the Toronto Arrows XV at Saturday’s Rugby Rally.

The Selects coaching staff have named 23 players – 12 forwards and 11 backs – to their squad list. The roster features players that represent clubs from across five provinces; Jordan Montgomery, a lock who plays his club rugby for British Columbia side Castaway Wanderers, is originally from Prince Edward Island.

“We’re looking forward to playing in the Rugby Rally, and participating in this event,” said Jack Hanratty, Atlantic Selects Head Coach. “Clearly there is a huge amount of excitement to get the Arrows back on home soil and we are excited in a new-look Atlantic Selects to take the field in what we hope will be an important building block for Canadian rugby.”

“We can sense the old Atlantic Rock – Ontario Blues rivalry from the days of the Canadian Rugby Championship starting to renew, and we’re eager to bring our east coast style of play back to Toronto.”

“We’re a young, hungry side that’s chock full of players ready to put themselves in the shop window. Saturday’s match will be a great opportunity for our players to gain experience playing in a professional environment, and as their development continues, it will help them to continue on their path to playing professionally in Major League Rugby at some stage.”

Charlottetown RFC prop Alex Forrest will captain the visiting Atlantic side on Saturday afternoon. This isn’t the first time the PEI prop has been involved in an Arrows match; Forrest was a starter in the Arrows’ first-ever exhibition game, a friendly played against the Glendale Merlins in Colorado on Sept. 9, 2017. The Summerside product continued to feature for the then-Ontario Arrows throughout the club’s exhibition season in 2018, prior to the franchise joining Major League Rugby.

At the Rugby Rally — the Arrows’ first match in Toronto in an unprecedented 867 days — fans at York Lions Stadium will be able to enjoy locally-sourced craft beer and food options from guest vendors, as well as many favourite stadium staples. Activities include pre-match autograph signings by Arrows players, a live DJ, an inflatable fan zone for kids, and a very special announcement at halftime. Tickets start at $10.

Gates will open at 4 p.m., with the Arrows XV and Atlantic Selects scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to ensure a speedy entry into the grounds.

FORWARDS
Name – Position (Club)

Bannister, Nigel – Lock / Back Row (Tars RFC; NS)
Carter, Liam – Lock / Back Row (Charlottetown RFC; PEI)
Cudmore, Sheldon – Back Row (Charlottetown RFC; PEI)
Davis, Pat – Back Row (Charlottetown RFC; PEI)
Doyle, Sean – Hooker (Charlottetown RFC; PEI)
Forrest, Alex (C) – Prop (Charlottetown RFC; PEI)
Lanthier, Phil – Prop (Charlottetown RFC; PEI)
Mahar, Eddie – Prop / Hooker (Moncton RFC; NB)
Mallard, David – Prop / Hooker (Swilers RFC; NL)
McEachern, Mike – Prop (Halifax RFC; NS)
Montgomery, Jordan – Lock (Castaway Wanders RFC; BC)
Sanad, Seif – Lock / Back Row (Tars RFC; NS)

BACKS
Name – Position (Club)

Cullen, Johnny – Scrum-half (Loyalists RFC; NB)
Duguid, James – Wing (Loyalists RFC; NB)
Dunscombe, Barnaby – Fly-half (Tars RFC; NS)
Fox, Dexten – Wing (Loyalists RFC; NB)
Jarman, Tom – Centre (Tars RFC; NS)
McKay, Jesse – Centre (Moncton RFC; NB)
Mitchell, James – Fullback (Loyalists RFC; NB)
Newhook, Sam – Centre (Baymen RFC; NL)
Pope, Cameron – Scrum-half / Wing (Belleisle Rovers RFC; NB)
Power, Brandon – Scrum-half (Shoredogs RFC; NS)
Shortall, Lucas – Fly-half (Swilers RFC; NL)

ATLANTIC SELECTS TEAM STAFF

General Manager – Dr. John Gillis
Senior Advisor – Dr. Brendan Parfrey
Head Coach – Jack Hanratty
Coach – David Jackson
Coach – Curtis Lauzon
Coach – Morgan Lovell
Manager – Sarah O’Connor

Header Photo Credit: Jason Malloy