Toronto Arrows back in action after weather forces postponement of Austin game

TORONTO – After inclement weather south of the border forced postponement of last week’s game against Austin Elite Rugby, the Toronto Arrows return to action Sunday against the visiting Houston SaberCats.

Chris Silverthorn, the Arrows’ director of rugby, has made six changes to the starting squad that lost 35-31 to NOLA Gold on April 7 in Toronto’s sold-out home opener at York Alumni Stadium.

Scrum half Jamie Mackenzie, wing Leandro Leivas and fullback Theo Sauder make their first starts of the season while lock Kolby Francis, prop Cole Keith and No. 8 Marcello Wainwright return to the lineup.

The Toronto starting lineup includes 11 full internationals, including 10 from Canada.

The Arrows (4-5-0) entered weekend play in sixth spot in the Major League Rugby standings while Houston (2-7-0) was eighth.

The two clubs met earlier this season, with Toronto winning 44-27 in Houston.

“We’re taking the postponed game in stride and treating it as an extra opportunity to rest up and prepare for this tough final stretch of the season,” said Silverthorn.

The Austin game has been rescheduled for May 9.

———

Toronto Arrows Lineup

Rob Brouwer, Andrew Quattrin, Cole Keith, Mike Sheppard, Kolby Francis, Lucas Rumball, Peter Milazzo, Marcello Wainwright, Jamie Mackenzie, Sam Malcolm, Leandro Leivas, Guiseppe du Toit, Dan Moor, Avery Oitomen, Theo Sauder.

Replacements

Steven Ng, Pat Lynott, Morgan Mitchell, Tom Van Horne, John Moonlight, Riley Di Nardo, Kainoa Lloyd, Shawn Windsor.