MLR Notes: Howley heading home, Salmon swims south

Rob Howley will not be returning to the Toronto Arrows in 2024. The former British & Irish Lions coach will return to his home in Wales and bid adieu to both the Major League Rugby side and Rugby Canada when his contract expires at the end of this month.

Arriving in the fall of 2020, Howley was hired on as an Assistant Coach for both the Canadian Senior Men’s side and the Arrows. While he does not have an immediate position lined up, he had made no secret of his desire to return home. A bid to have Howley rejoin Warren Gatland’s team ahead of the 2023 World Cup was rejected by the WRU at the end of 2022.

Meanwhile the Arrows have re-signed 24-year-old  prop Lolani Faleiva. The giant New Zealander emerged as one of MLR’s most destructive ball carriers this past season. He joins fellow returnee Connor Grindal as loosehead options confirmed to date.

Joining Howley on the departures list is tighthead prop Isaac Salmon. A standout for the Arrows over the past two seasons, the 27-year-old has signed on with NOLA for the new season. During recent months he had been playing with Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.

On the topic of tighthead props, Utah have now confirmed three Eagles options at the anchor position for the upcoming season. Paul Mullen is the latest to sign on for another year, following Angus MacLellan and Takaji Young Yen. The latter is the youngest and newest to join the capped club, and should see more game time in 2024 after playing just twice this past season.

Chicago also have a returning prop. Mika Felix will play a second year with the Hounds. The 22-year-old can play across the front row but settled at tighthead in the Windy City. Eagles selectors will be keeping a close eye on his progress with increased depth badly needed at the No3 position.

San Diego have signed 27-year-old Auckland native Jay Tuivaiti for the new campaign. At 6’4″ (1.93m) and 265lbs (120kg) he is a big man who covers lock or blindside flanker. Tuivaiti was part of the extended Samoa 7s squad in early 2022 and recently won a national D1 club title with the Austin Blacks.