Malta squad for Lancashire series

Malta caretaker coach Anthony Micallef has exercised his overseas supply of players in naming a strong band of foreign-based players for the national team’s upcoming test against Lancashire.

The Malta Knights will come together next week with a forward pack that includes Gateshead Thunder prop Chris Parker, Warrington Wizards utility Shaun Gilmour and back rower Matt Mizzi, a product of the Wests Tigers juniors.

The forwards will join Cardiff-based backs Paul and Shaun Bartlett and hooker John Dimond.

Micallef named a further 21 Malta-based players led by skipper Daniel Grima.

Lancashire will make their international tour debut here with fixtures against Malta’s domestic teams – the North and the South, before a full international against Malta Knights on October 17 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

Lancashire coach Kevin Thompson is bringing with him a young squad that boasts an array of youth talent.

Thompson labelled his scrum-half Jordan White and winger Terry Bridge as the players to look out for before the 40-strong touring party jet into Malta next week.

“Terry (Bridge) is playing his first year for Lancashire and he’s a very exciting prospect. Very strong and elusive. Jordan (White) is a speedy lad with a good passing game,” Thompson said.

Warren Turley will officiate the international.

Malta squad

Adolf Attard, Graham Attard, Malcolm Attard, Paul Bartlett, Shaun Bartlett, Jonathon Bonnici, Paul Borg, Peter Bradley, Calvin Briffa, Mark Cortis, Joey Criminale, Clifford Debattista, John Dimond, Adon Formosa, Tyson Freeman, Shaun Gilmour, Daniel Grima, Joss Howland, Matt Mizzi, Chris Parker, Jurgen Pavanello, Daryl Psaila, Dario Schembri, Matthew Spagnol, Mark Seychell, Chris Vella, Nicky Vella, Matt Von Brockdorff.