Familiar opposition for Malta in Div. 2B

The national team will be facing some familiar rugby opponents in the 2006/07 European Nations Cup after the line-up of the Division 2B was announced recently by FIRA-AER.

The Maltese will be fighting it out for the only promotion slot to Division 2A against Poland, Croatia and Latvia who all played against Malta in recent years. The other team in the group are Andorra. One team will be relegated.

The qualifying campaign starts on October 7 when Poland host Andorra. Malta play their first match on October 28 in Riga vs Latvia. The following week they face Croatia at the Hibs Ground.

The last two qualifiers for Malta in 2007 are at home vs Andorra (May 12) and away to Poland (May 19).

On paper, Poland (38th in the rankings) look to be the favourites for promotion. They are the only team in the group Malta failed to beat.

In fact, the Poles won a World Cup qualifier 38-13 way back in November 2004 at Marsa.

The Maltese, however, enjoy a better record against Latvia (42nd) and Croatia (39th).

The Latvians hosted Malta in a Nations Cup match in April 2004 and the team, then led by Graham Richards, prevailed 10-8. Malta faced Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in April and eased through 26-15.

Coach Damien Neill starts preparations in September when he leads the squad to a training camp during which a warm-up match will be played between the foreign-based players and the 'A' selection.

Division 2B fixtures

October 7 - Poland vs Andorra.
October 28 - Latvia vs Malta; Croatia vs Poland.
November 4 - Malta vs Croatia; Andorra vs Latvia.
March 31, 2007 - Croatia vs Latvia.
April 7, 2007 - Andorra vs Croatia.
May 5, 2007 - Latvia vs Poland.
May 12, 2007 - Malta vs Andorra.
May 19, 2007 - Poland vs Malta.