Crucial tie for Malta against Andorra

The national team will be back in action on Saturday afternoon for another European Nations Cup Division 2B qualifier, this time against Andorra at the Hibs Ground (kick-off: 3 p.m.).

The qualifying phase is played over two years with the section winners earning promotion to Division 2A and the bottom side in the five-team group going down to Division 3A.

Malta have already played twice and lost on both occasions to eastern Europe sides Latvia (away) and Croatia (home).

At present, the provisional leaders are Latvia. They won three times from four outings. However, the stronger Poland look set to top the group eventually after chalking up three victories from as many matches so far. They are second on nine points, one behind Latvia who lost their home match against the Poles 33-9.

The Maltese have a difficult task at hand to avoid bottom place and are looking to get back to winning ways this weekend when facing a side ranked three positions behind Malta (56th) in the world rankings. The following week, they play Poland (ranked 31st) away in Siedlce.

However, national coach Damian Neill is not looking into numbers but is more focused on current form.

"The squad got together on Sunday and we're all looking forward to do well in our next two qualifiers and move away from bottom place in the standings," he said.

"The players are coming from a long domestic campaign. Some of them are carrying slight knocks but we should be OK for Saturday.

"Andorra are behind us in the IRB rankings but they beat Croatia for their only victory so far. Croatia are no.49 in the world but you can't rely on statistics. It's the team with the best form that wins matches."

Neill admitted he had scant knowledge of Andorra but from the little he managed to pick he knows his team is in for a difficult match.

"This won't be easy for us," he said.

"We've seen very little of Andorra lately but we know they have their top players in the French league. They have quality in the side for sure otherwise they wouldn't have beaten a side like Croatia at this level."

MRFU president Juan Borg Manduca said the team has been undergoing intensive training in the build-up for the matches against Andorra and Poland.

"This is a crucial phase for us," he said. "After the two defeats of last year there's no other way for us but to start winning matches. We have full confidence in the team and we know that they can do it also with the help of the local support."

Borg Manduca outlined the union's development strategy, starting with more incentives at junior level and the start of a schools Sevens league.

Facilities, he said, are still a big problem. However, the MRFU is seeking to continue strengthening its relations with potential sponsors and governing bodies through discussions and joint projects. At present, the national team is sponsored by Cisk.

Neill has 25 players at his disposal with the introduction of newcomers Joseph Cutajar, Daryl Psaila and David Borg, all locally-based players.

The squad

Leo Mifsud (Stompers); Mick McArdle (Barking, UK); Thomas Webb (Eton Manor, UK); Kyle Mason (Mounts Bay, UK); Ian Borda (Kavallieri); Saviour Zarb (Easts Rugby Canberra, Australia); Luke Watts (Broadstreet Old Boys, UK); Joseph Cutajar (Kavallieri); Daryl Psaila (Overseas); David Borg (Kavallieri); Dominic St George (Kew Occasionals, UK); Steven Kempster (Tring, UK); Michael Whitney (Perth-Bayswater, Australia); Guy Kennedy (Queanbeyan Whites, Australia); John Dimond (Barry, UK); Thomas Watts (Old Coventrians, UK); Ryan Borg (Cronulla Sharks, Australia); Matthew Mirabelli (Stompers); Jamie Caruana (Redruth, UK); Malcolm Attard (Stompers); Lee Culnane (Tuggeranong Vikings, Australia); Domnic Busuttil (Beddau, UK); Michael Bona-via (Kavallieri); James Finlason (Hove, UK); Oliver Sacco (Clifton, UK).