STARTING XV: Arrows Name Lineup for All-Canadian Clash with Canada Selects

16 May 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STARTING XV: ONTARIO ARROWS NAME LINEUP FOR ALL-CANADIAN CLASH WITH CANADA SELECTS

Ontario Arrows head coach Chris Silverthorn has named his starting lineup for Friday’s home match against the Canada Selects.

The match will serve as a key fixture to assist Canada’s national senior men’s program in their preparations for the upcoming June international window.

With four current Arrows selected for inclusion into the Canada Selects’ squad – lock Paul Ciulini, scrum-half Andrew Ferguson, hooker Martial Lagain, and wing Kainoa Lloyd – Silverthorn has made six changes to his starting lineup that defeated northeastern American premier club side Boston Mystics 77-8 in the club’s home opener on May 5.

Hong Kong international hooker Alex Post will make his Arrows debut, and prop Mike Smith will earn his first start of the season. Home opener substitute Alex Gliksten slots in at scrum-half, respectively, while the trio of wing Aaron McLelland, centre Jamie Leveridge, and lock Josh Van Horne will return to the Arrows squad.

“This match represents a big opportunity for our club,” said Silverthorn. “The Canada Selects will be hungry to impress ahead of the June internationals, which will make this a very tough test. This is a chance to see how far we’ve come since we began our season in March.”

The Arrows are looking to build on their impressive spring campaign, which will see the club hunting for a fourth consecutive exhibition season victory. Ontario holds a 3-1-1 record this spring, which includes a victory over Major League Rugby side Utah Warriors, a pair of wins against the Mystics, and a draw against MLR’s Houston SaberCats.

“There’s an element of familiarity to this match that makes it unique,” Silverthorn added. “When we kick off on Friday, we’ll be facing seven players in Canada’s starting lineup who have worn Arrows colours over the past year. We’re very proud to see our Arrows get opportunities to wear the red and white, but from the moment the whistle blows, it’ll be business-as-usual on the pitch. We’ll be giving our all for this match, and fans can expect an intense, entertaining 80 minutes. It will be a showcase of top-tier Canadian rugby.”

Squad Notes:

– Post will make his Arrows debut, while Larsen and Lemkus are in contention to make their club debuts off the substitutes’ bench
– Smith will make his first start for the club
– Four squad members are Canada Under-20 program grads: Kelly (2017), Milazzo (2016), Richardson (2016), West (2012); Post is a Hong Kong Under-20 program grad

Friday’s match will be played at York Lions Stadium at York University, and will kick off at 7 p.m. EDT. Tickets are available online for $15, as well as at the gate on matchday for $20. Youth (16 and under) can enjoy free admission.

The game can be streamed live through the Arrows’ YouTube channel.

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Ontario Arrows Lineup vs. Canada Selects

1. Rob Brouwer
2. Alex Post
3. Mike Smith
4. Mike Sheppard (C)
5. Josh Van Horne
6. Marcello Wainwright
7. Peter Milazzo
8. Kolby Francis
9. Alex Gliksten
10. Will Kelly
11. Aaron McLelland
12. Jamie Leveridge
13. Jon West
14. John Sheridan
15. Shawn Windsor

16. Cam Sandison
17. Pat Lynott
18. Clint Lemkus
19. Tom Van Horne
20. Travis Larsen
21. Mario Van Der Westhuizen
22. Mitch Richardson
23. Kyle Lagasca

STAFF
Head Coach: Chris Silverthorn
Assistant Coaches: David Butcher, Aaron Carpenter, Cory Hector
General Manager: Mark Winokur
Performance Analyst: Rodin Lozada
Athletic Therapist: Chris Kelly
Team Doctor: Dr. John Gillis

Canada Selects Lineup vs. Ontario Arrows

1. Noah Barker
2. Martial Lagain*
3. Cole Keith
4. Paul Ciulini*^
5. Conor Keys
6. Dustin Dobravsky
7. Lucas Rumball^ (C)
8. Luke Campbell
9. Andrew Ferguson*^
10. Robbie Povey
11. Kainoa Lloyd*^
12. Guiseppe du Toit^
13. Doug Fraser
14. Cole Davis
15. Patrick Parfrey^

16. Steven Ng
17. Liam Murray
18. Ryan Kotlewski
19. Grant Crowell
20. Matt Heaton
21. Jorden Sandover-Best
22. Gordon McRorie
23. Josh Thiel

* denotes player who has featured for the Ontario Arrows in 2018

^ denotes player who featured for the Ontario Arrows in 2017 inaugural match in Glendale, CO (Sept. 9, 2017)

About Ontario Arrows Rugby Club:

The Ontario Arrows Rugby Club is Canada’s first privately-funded high-performance rugby team.

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

Ontario Arrows Spring 2018 Schedule

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Header Photo Credit: Garry Coldwells