The Malta rugby national team moved seven places up the world rankings published this week by the International Rugby Board following Saturday’s emphatic 28-0 victory over Latvia in Riga.

Damien Neill’s team are now in 46th place.

In Riga, Malta were in rampant form, scoring four tries without reply to bag their second win in Division 2A that lifted them to third place in the standings on eight points.

Sweden, who beat Croatia 24-18 in Stockholm on Saturday, lead the way on 22 points.

Latvia, bottom in the group, dropped nine places in the IRB list and are now ranked 68th.

Malta can gain further ground in the world list on Saturday if they beat Lithuania at home.

Lithuania, 39th in the world, are currently second in the group with 14 points. Their last match was a thrilling 30-all draw with Sweden at home.

Neill is sure to be making at least one change to the squad that travelled to Latvia last week as Charlie Sammut suffered a fractured cheekbone in Riga and is already back in the UK for treatment.

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