Neill names squad for Wales training camp

Malta's rugby squad will travel to Wales this afternoon ahead of a four-day training camp in preparation for today week's European Division 2B qualifier against Croatia in Split.

National coach Damien Neill has selected a provisional squad of 25 players that will be trimmed to 22 on Wednesday, just hours before the team leave Cardiff for Croatia.

Malta are currently third in the Division 2B standings with eight points from the opening four matches.

Neill's men have a good away record in this season's competition after beating Sweden 9-6 in Vanersborg and Latvia 32-19 in Riga.

However, they have a score to settle with the Croatians who edged the Maltese 18-16 in a tight match at the Hibs Ground that was decided by an Ivan Resetar penalty in stoppage time.

The Malta coach is hampered by the absence of several first-team players. Captain Guy Kennedy has been forced to retire from the game with a back injury while Paul Marzella, Donovan Felice, Daryl Psaila and Mick McArdle have all been ruled out because of injuries.

Neill has two new players in his provisional squad, Matthew Azzopardi, who plies his trade in Wales, and Stompers hooker Nathan Gatt who is considered as one of the brightest prospects in the MRFU league.

The Malta Rugby Football Union had no option but to hold the training camp in Wales due to the lack of facilities in Malta. Danny Sacco, Malta's UK team manager, made all the arrangements for the squad to continue their build-up for the forthcoming qualifiers in Wales.

Neill has added former national team player Nick Warren to his coaching staff. The Wales-based player was part of the Malta side that went on an 11-match unbeaten streak a few years ago.

Steve Busuttil is the new team manager, replacing Sean Doublesin who stepped down from the post.

The squad
P. Bradley, N. Gatt, T. Pace Moore, I. Borda, H. Collins, K. Mason, L. Watts, C. Cassar, J. Cutajar, M. Azzopardi, M. Whitney, M. Bonavia, J. Howland, M. Mirabelli, J. Bartolo, J. Finlason, D. Busuttil, O. Sacco, J. O'Brien, M. Attard, R. Spiteri, L. Culnane, V. Stivala, A. Spencer, L. Debattista.