Toronto Arrows Announce Return of Malcolm, Signings of Nott, Tomlinson for 2021 Run-In

For Immediate Release

TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce the signings of the club’s all-time leading points scorer Sam Malcolm, Canadian international flanker Ollie Nott, and Welsh hooker Joe Tomlinson for the remainder of the 2021 Major League Rugby season.

With nine Arrows players recently named to Canada’s roster for the national union’s upcoming July tour, along with the expectation that three players will be selected to Uruguay’s squad, the team has had to add to its squad depth as it completes its campaign abroad.

Sam Malcolm
Fly-half / Fullback | Wanganui, New Zealand
Arrow #10

Malcolm, 25, returns to the Arrows after a short stint with the Kamaishi Seawaves of Japan’s Top Challenge League. The popular Kiwi first signed with the club in 2019 from New Zealand National Provincial Championship side Manawatu, and instantly became a fan favourite through his hard work, professionalism, and lethal kicking.

The versatile back started 21 of the 22 matches Toronto played across the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and holds club records in several statistical categories, including points (212), conversions (58), penalty goals (31), and kicking metres (3,062). Strong on both sides of the ball, his tackle completion rate (90.0%; 207 completed) is the highest among all backs to have played for the organization.

Malcolm also holds the distinction of being the only non-Canadian to captain the Arrows in a MLR match.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Toronto Arrows (@torontoarrows)

Ollie Nott
Flanker | Victoria, British Columbia

Nott, 26, has represented Canada at both the senior and age-grade levels. The flanker has two caps for the red and white, both coming during the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship, and also suited up the Canada under-20s at the World Rugby Junior World Trophy in 2015.

The energetic loose forward also participated in the inaugural World Tens Series event last autumn, featuring for the California-based Rhinos. Prior to joining the Arrows, Nott had been training in the Golden State with the Rhinos ahead of the 2021 edition of the World Tens Series, which is set to be held in Florida from late August to early October.

Nott is a graduate of the British Columbia Bears senior men’s provincial program and Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride national development program, and played his grassroots rugby with the University of Victoria Vikes in the British Columbia Premiership.

Joe Tomlinson
Hooker | Cardiff, Wales

Tomlinson, 28, joins the Arrows following a widely lauded semi-professional career in Wales. The hooker, now working in Canada, made more than 100 appearances for Cardiff RFC between 2014 and 2019; Tomlinson’s long spell with his hometown club was capped off by captaining the side to its first National Cup championship in 22 years in 2019.

Welsh legend Gethin Jenkins, who worked with Tomlinson in the Welsh capital, told WalesOnline: “[Joe’s] got a lot of the things you need to make it at the top level. The main thing is his attitude and his hunger to improve. Plus you have to have that base of fitness and strength to play in the position that he’s in and that’s there.”

“We are, of course, proud of the players chosen to represent Canada and Uruguay and wish them all the best, but in the meantime, we have a league to compete in and are doing everything we can to remain competitive,” said Mark Winokur, Toronto Arrows Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “We are excited to see the new players come on board, and we welcome our brother Sammy back into our squad. There will be a new energy in our setup, and this gives everyone a big lift.”

Additional signings will be announced in the coming days.

The Arrows have four matches remaining in their third campaign in North America’s top-flight professional rugby league, with all fixtures to be played in the club’s temporary home of Atlanta.

About Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club:

The Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club is Canada’s first 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/

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Brock Smith
Communications Manager
Toronto Arrows
[email protected]

Header Photo Credit: Norma Salinas