Bowman, Grindal Set for First Starts in Arrows’ 2023 Road Finale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

QUINCY, MA – Toronto Arrows Head Coach Peter Smith has named his starting lineup for Saturday’s away clash against the New England Free Jacks.

Following last week’s comeback draw against Old Glory DC, the Arrows pack features a quartet of updates.

Connor Grindal, who is set for his first start for the club, has been tabbed to wear the number-one shirt and enters the front row alongside hooker Ramon Ayarza.

The recently-activated Shay Kerry returns from injury to start at lock, while club captain Lucas Rumball is back at blindside flanker.

Fresh off his try-scoring debut last Thursday, Liam Bowman gets the nod at inside centre to mark his first start for his hometown team.

There are two additional changes amongst the backs, with Will Grant and Kobe Faust drawing in at scrum-half and wing, respectively.

The starting lineup features 12 Canadian / Canada-eligible domestic players, with 19 Canadians selected for the matchday 23.

Saturday’s game will kick off at 4 p.m. ET. The Eastern Conference tilt will stream on TSN+, TSN.ca, the TSN app, and The Rugby Network for Canadian audiences, and will be available on The Rugby Network for American and international audiences. Additional broadcast details.

The match marks the Arrows’ final road game of the 2023 season; the club will end the campaign with a three-match homestand against Houston, San Diego, and NOLA in June.

Toronto Arrows Lineup vs. New England Free Jacks:

1. Connor Grindal
2. Ramon Ayarza
3. Tyler Rowland
4. Mason Flesch
5. Shay Kerry
6. Lucas Rumball (C)
7. Owain Ruttan
8. Travis Larsen
9. Will Grant
10. Peter Nelson
11. Kobe Faust
12. Liam Bowman
13. Tautalatasi Tasi
14. Ciaran Breen
15. Shane O’Leary
16. Jack McRogers
17. Nik Hildebrand
18. Conan O’Donnell
19. Hank Stevenson
20. James O’Neill
21. Cole Brown
22. Dawson Fatoric
23. D’Shawn Bowen

Injury / Recovery List: Ross Braude, Cole Davis, Mitch Eadie, Lolani Faleiva, Sam Malcolm, Noel Reid, Mitch Richardson, Isaac Salmon, Gene Syminton, Corey Thomas, Adrian Wadden, Tyler Wong

Long-Term Injured Reserve: Nic Benn, Micaiah Torrance-Read

Squad Notes:

• Liam Bowman and Connor Grindal are set to make their first starts for the club
• Seven squad members are full Canadian internationals: Dawson Fatoric (2 caps), Mason Flesch (2 caps), Peter Nelson (15 caps), Shane O’Leary (14 caps), Tyler Rowland (9 caps), Lucas Rumball (47 caps), Owain Ruttan (1 cap)
• Ramon Ayarza (12 caps) is a full Chilean international

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]

Header Photo Credit: Ben Carmichael