International friendly today at Marsa

A first-ever Rugby League international will be played today at Marsa when visiting Maltese-Australian team Malta Knights take on the English Lionhearts in a friendly starting at 2 p.m.

The Knights arrived in Malta last week from Sydney. They have conducted various activities during their stay on the islands so far apart from scheduled training sessions.

Included in coach Joe Grima's squad today is Robert Bonavia. He is likely to join Malta Rugby Union international Rohan Spiteri along with Matt Zammit and Brendan Russell on the five-man bench.

Bonavia plays rugby for MRFU League side Sharks. The former Kavallieri powerhouse has made 11 appearances for Malta.

Also included in the Malta Knights' squad is winger Simon Micallef. Today week, he will play for the national team in the World Cup third qualifying round opener against Germany at the Hibs Ground.

Today's match will be controlled by renowned referee Ashley Klein, an Australian-born official who earlier this month refereed the 2005 Super League Grand Final.

Entrance for the public is free of charge.