Sliema RL clash against Malta Origin RL in the MRL Dove Men+Care Championship Final at the Melita ground today (start: 2pm).

Sliema’s Malcolm Attard and Malta Origin’s Joe Paolella will lead their respective teams that are both expected to boast a number of national team and representative squad players, and with Sliema hoping to continue a winning streak that dates back two seasons.

In a sign of the strength of the domestic Rugby League scene, at least 70 per cent of the players in today’s final are Maltese while a few others have played in established leagues across Australia, England and Wales.

Having already won the KO in June, Sliema reached the grand final undefeated for the second consecutive season, while Malta Origin RL sealed their place in the champion-ship decider with a comprehensive 54-22 victory over Gozo RL.

There were no surprises in Paolella’s selection but, due to injuries, Sliema won’t announce the make-up of their squad until one hour before kick-off.

Paolella said his team probably had their most polished perfor-mance of the season in the win over Gozo.

“We produced our best at the most crucial points of the match against Gozo so we were always in control,” he said.

“New signing Gareth Barron brings a lot of experience with him and also to the Maltese Rugby League championship.

“But we need every one of our 17 players to be on the ball against Sliema.

“Over the last two years, we’ve proved that we can sustain a good standard for the entire 80 minutes.

“Anything less than matching our opponents in the final won’t be good enough.”