More investment would leave rich dividends

One of the most exciting players in the English rugby scene at the moment, Matt Banahan, was at the Hibs Stadium yesterday for the European Nations Cup qualifier between Malta and Lithuania.

Banahan is a keen follower of the game but his interest in Maltese rugby stems from the fact that his father-in-law is none other than Danny Sacco, the Malta national team manager.

Despite having just played in his first World Cup, the Bath winger jumped at the chance of making the trip to Malta and watch the home side in action in their last international assignment for the year.

Apart from family ties, Banahan’s upbringing inevitably makes him feel closer to us since he, too, was born and learnt his rugby skills at a small island – Jersey.

“This is my third visit to Malta but the first time that I’m watching the national team play,” the 2.02m (6ft 7in) powerhouse told The Sunday Times before kick-off.

“With Danny as in-law it’s a bit difficult not to hear about the Malta rugby team. We speak a lot and what the Maltese have done lately has been quite remarkable.

“For such a small nation to get into the top 50 in the world is really astonishing.

“Some of the players in the team I know well as they are based in the UK. They’ve got talent and their experience surely helps.

“Perhaps, with an all-round effort this team can achieve other significant objectives.”

Asked to expand on this last thought Banahan, 24, was quite frank in his assessment.

“Malta can one day qualify to the World Cup,” he remarked.

“If you look at previous tourna-ments there were similar teams taking part from small countries in the rugby world. What they did was to inject some serious investment and they are now competing in the biggest rugby event of all.

“Size doesn’t really matter.

“Malta can reap the same kind of dividends if the federation here attracts more private investment and support from the authorities.

“There’s place for further development and the sport will inevitably generate more interest.

“To this end the construction of a rugby stadium is crucial. Every sport deserves to have a home and rugby is no exception. Indeed, the Maltese federation will be able to take the game to a higher level.”

Banahan only started playing rugby seven years ago but he made giant strides and has virtually taken part in all big rugby competitions so far.

He grew up playing hockey, earning selection to the Jersey and West of England junior representative sides before switching to the oval ball game.

When at London Irish, Banahan was deployed as lock but eventually changed roles to wing where the combination of size, power and speed made him one of the most fearsome players in the game. In 2009, Martin Johnson selected him to the England squad, aged 22.

Two years on and Banahan kept his place in the national team set-up and helped England win the Six Nations. This autumn he fulfilled his dream of playing in a World Cup.

“To don the England shirt in the World Cup was an overwhelming experience,” Banahan said.

“We could have made inroads but we only have ourselves to blame as we simply didn’t perform to the maximum of our ability.

“Some people suggested that the controversy created by the media inevitably hampered our progress but I don’t agree with that.

“As professionals you have to focus on the team and carry out your job as best you can. In New Zealand we failed to do that.

“The upset to France in the quarter-finals was very disappointing. It was a very poor showing, particularly in the first half.”

Johnson came under fire but Banahan feels the manager should not be made the scapegoat of the team’s exit from the World Cup.

“I have great respect for the man as I have learnt a lot from him since I was included in the national team.

“He tried hard but sometimes even your best effort is not enough to achieve goals in the World Cup.

“I hope that Johnson will be confirmed in his role as I feel that he is the right man for the job to take us back to the top.”

Banahan is now looking to concentrate on his club career.

“I have to win my place back in the Bath team,” he remarked.

“During my absence from the team due to the World Cup, Bath tried some new players who did pretty well. So, now I will have to step up my game to regain my place.

“My hope is that this year Bath will reach the Heineken Cup semi-finals and make the top four in the English Premiership.”

Indeed, Banahan has raised the bar considerably but with him again playing a leading role, Bath could be in for an exciting year.