Malta in must-win match against resurgent Andorra

The rugby national team are in for a tough match this afternoon when they take on Andorra in a European Division 2B qualifier at the Hibs Ground (kick-off: 3 p.m.).

Defeats to Latvia (27-16) and Croatia (40-18) have severely dented Malta's chances of retaining their Division Two status next season. Coach Damien Neill has no doubt that his team must beat Andorra if they are to rekindle their hopes of avoiding bottom place in the group that also includes strong favourites Poland.

"It's time for the team to deliver," Neill told The Times this week.

"At the start of this Euro campaign we knew we had a battle on our hands. Our target is to win matches and preserve our status in Division 2B. Losing our first two matches was not what we were hoping for but that's all behind us now. It's time to react and show that we are a far better team than those results might have suggested.

"During the past few days the players looked focused in training and geared up to break our duck in the group.

"A win against Andorra will put us in a better position to fight for our place. The players will surely be up for the challenge."

Ranked three places behind Malta in the IRB list at no.59, Andorra are among the fast-improving rugby nations in Europe.

With several members of their team plying their trade in the French league, the Andorrans have come a long way in recent years beating more-quoted nations such as Slovenia, Norway, and, most recently, Croatia.

"Rugby has improved a lot in Andorra," Neill remarked.

"Obviously, having so many players featuring week in week out in the French league has given their game a great lift. We know they have a strong pack with some highly-technical players in their forward line so they are very dangerous in more than one area.

"However, at the end of the day, the most important thing for us is to make sure that we play at the top of our game. We, too, have some excellent players and on our day we can beat anyone."

Home crowd

The coach is again banking on the passionate support of the Maltese crowd to cheer and support his players to a vital win today.

"The fans have been our extra man on the pitch on many occasions before," Neill said.

"The atmosphere at the Hibs Ground is always electrifying and the players always move up a gear each time they step on the pitch. I have full confidence in the players but the crowd can also steer the side to victory."

Malta play Poland away a week today in another group qualifier.

Current standings

1. Latvia 10 points (four matches - +20 diff.); 2. Poland nine (three matches - +71); 3. Croatia six (four matches - -10); 4. Andorra five (three matches - -48); 5. Malta 2 (two matches - -33).

Next match

Poland vs Malta (May 19 - Siedlce).