Neill urges solid defence

The Malta rugby team will be looking to keep the pace with group leaders Netherlands when they visit bottom-placed Latvia in a FIRA-AER Division 2B qualifier in Riga today (kick-off: 4 p.m.).

Damien Neill's team is currently sharing second spot in the standings with Sweden and Croatia, all on the four-point mark after two matches. This trio of teams are two adrift of the Netherlands lead the way with six points.

Victory in the former Soviet republic this afternoon would keep the national team on course for the 2011 World Cup qualifiers, ahead of today week's crunch match against the Netherlands at the Hibs Ground.

The top team in Division 2B will automatically progress to the next phase of the qualifying campaign.

Today, the Dutch host Sweden.

In the build-up to this afternoon's match, Neill laid emphasis on a sound defensive display as Latvia are renowned for their strong forwards, so dominant in scrums and rucks.

The Maltese have a positive record against Latvia with two wins from three matches.

Neill has included three new players in his squad.

These are Tom Pace Moore and Paul Bradley, who both play for Malta champions Stompers, and Overseas' Vincent Stivala.

Paul Marzella and Rohan Spiteri are back in the fray while Matthew Mirabelli and Christoff Diamantino are both fully fit after recovering from injury.

Neill's Squad

I. Borda, H. Collins, K. Mason, T. Pace Moore, P. Bradley, C. Diamantino, D. Psaila, L. Watts, R. Bonavia, S. Kempster, P.A. Calgaro, G. Kennedy, M. Bonavia, M. Mirabelli, J. Finlason, M. Jarrett, R. Spiteri, D. Busuttil, P. Marzella, M. Attard, L. Culnane, O. Sacco, V. Stivala.

Current standings: Netherlands 6; Sweden, Malta, Croatia 4; Latvia 2.

Playing today: Netherlands vs Sweden; Latvia vs Malta.

April 25: Malta vs Netherlands; Croatia vs Latvia.

Results: Sweden vs Latvia 21-5; Netherlands vs Croatia 18-12; Sweden vs Malta 6-9; Latvia vs Netherlands 10-29; Malta vs Croatia 16-18.