Toronto Arrows Announce 2023 Coaching Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Arrows are pleased to confirm the club’s coaching staff for the 2023 Major League Rugby season.

The coaching group will remain consistent from 2022 to 2023, with all personnel returning for the upcoming campaign.

Peter Smith is returning as Head Coach for his fifth season – and second in the lead role – on the Arrows staff.

Former Welsh international and British and Irish Lion Rob Howley is back for a third campaign with the Arrows and will serve as the team’s Attack Coach.

Francois Ratier, the former head coach of Canada’s national senior men’s and women’s teams, will hold the Defence and Skills Coach role, while Francisco Deformes, a former Chilean international, will serve as the team’s Forwards Coach. Both are returning for a second year with the organization.

Cory Hector is also commencing his fifth year with the club and will continue leading the Arrows Academy as its Director and Head Coach.

“The consistency in our coaching group gives us a very stable platform to build off of for the season ahead,” said Tim Matthews, Toronto Arrows Vice President and General Manager. “Our group is fully aligned on our organizational goals – first and foremost, to bring the MLR Shield north to Toronto – and the entire team has hit the ground running in training camp.”

“This is a staff that is committed to working together with players both in the meeting rooms and on the field to ensure success. The level of excitement is high across the entire organization as we ramp up preparations for the 2023 campaign.”

Additional team staff, including performance, player development, and medical personnel, will be announced in the coming days.

The club will begin its fifth season in North America’s top-flight professional rugby league with a road match against Rugby ATL on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.

About Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club:

Established in 2018, the Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club is Canada’s first and only professional rugby union team.

Competing in Major League Rugby, the team is equipped to compete against top-tier North American professional club teams, providing emerging Canadian talent with enhanced and more frequent opportunities to hone their skills at an elite level.

For more information, visit https://torontoarrows.com/

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For more information, please contact:

Brock Smith
Communications Manager
Toronto Arrows
[email protected]