Malta’s hopes of retaining their place in Division 2A rest almost on this afternoon’s match when Damien Neill’s men take on Lithuania in a crucial FIRA-AER Euro Championship qualifier in eastern Europe (kick-off 1pm Malta time).
The Maltese are currently one place off bottom in a five-team group with just five points from four matches... just one ahead of Lithuania after the first round of matches was played.
Back-to-back defeats to Switzerland (19-10) and the Netherlands (48-10) in April has left the team in a difficult position.
With the bottom team relegated and the fourth-placed side facing a play-off for survival, the Maltese will be desperate to claim maximum points and avoid the drop to Division 2B.
This week, the national squad held a short training camp at the Colerne military base in the limits of Bath, England.
Neill focused mainly on his plans for the first leg of a crucial double-header which also includes a home fixture against Croatia at the Hibs Stadium today week.
In Lithuania, Neill is hampered by the absence of a few key players, namely brothers Tom and Rob Holloway and Clayton Cassar who have been ruled out by injury while Luke Watts is rated as doubtful.
Three players from the MRFU League have been drafted into the squad. These are Calvin Briffa, Roderick Borg and Luke Debattista while Oliver Sacco is back in the squad but will only feature against Croatia next week.
James Kirk also returns from injury along with Mark Davey.
A key feature of the build-up to these two qualifiers was the revitalised Malta A team which acts as a main feeder to the national team.
At present, there are 15 local players in the squad, showing how far rugby had progressed in recent years.
“The average age in the squad is down to 23 years,” Neill said.
“Every player in the group has the chance to make the 22. This will be a test of our maturity as a rugby nation.”
Malta beat Lithuania 34-17 in the corresponding first round match at Corradino with Rob Holloway, Mark Davey and James O’Brien all scoring tries for the hosts in a polished display.
However, team manager Steve Busuttil is under no illusions about the challenge facing the national team today.
“The coach would have preferred to conduct his preparations in Malta but our plans had to be rescheduled due to lack of facilities and pitches,” Busuttil said.
“That said, we are pleased with the build-up and to have new faces in the squad such as John Ellul, who gets his first cap, and Rhodrie Apsee.”
Sam Borg said the training camp in the UK gave the squad opportunities to gel.
“This exercise helps us concentrate solely on our training with few distractions, it certainly contributes to instill a sense of professionalism in the group,” he said.
“We were unfortunate to lose against Switzerland last time at home and there’s no-one in this squad who wants to see a repeat of that, we are a very positive group.”
The Squad
R. Apsee, A. Kennedy, D. Holliday, C. Schranz, D. Deguara, S. Borg, D. Apsee, M. Davey, V. Stivala, J. Morris, J. O’Brien, D. Busuttil, T. Quarendon, M. Camilleri, J. Kirk, D. Cerketa, J. Ellul, J. Cutajar, C. Briffa, M. Galea, L. Debattista, R. Borg.
Playing today: Lithuania vs Malta; Croatia vs Switzerland.
Standings
Netherlands (4-0-0) 16; Switzerland (3-0-1) 14; Croatia (1-0-3) 7; Malta (1-0-3) 5; Lithuania (1-0-3) 4.