Malta coach Anthony Micallef has undertaken another development move with the launch of the national squad.
Training together since March, the national squad, capped at 10 domestic-based players, follows strict attendance and dress-code requirements, social responsibility commitments, specialist training from foreign-based coaches and full access to LivingWell Health Club at Hilton Malta.
Dual Malta rugby international Malcolm Attard said the national squad concept has been bought into by local players.
“There’s a lot of energy in the younger guys, and this part-time approach takes it up a level from what everyone is used to.
“We work full-time jobs, but having a structured approach for a select group of players puts everyone on the same page and gives everyone a lot more direction,” Attard said in a statement.
The squad, with an average age of 25, is aimed at bridging the gap in playing and fitness standards between local and foreign-based players.
Malta has eligible players figuring in the two highest competitions in the world: Australia’s NRL and England’s Super League.
The national team’s 34-16 loss against Lebanon in Sydney last week unearthed some new players eligible from the Australian leagues.
“There were a number of solid performances in Sydney. I’m working closely with our manager in Sydney, David Axisa, to get four or five of them over to Malta this year,” Micallef said.
LivingWell Health Club manager Paul Sparling said the partnership with the MRL was a continuation of a relationship held since the team’s European Bowl victory over Norway in 2010.
Malta, currently ranked 24th in the world, face 21st-ranked Belgium on June 21 at Carnegie Headingley Stadium in Leeds.
In August, Malta will host Ireland, ranked seventh in the world, in its final warm-up before the World Cup qualifying campaign kicks off on September 26 with a match against Spain in Valencia.
National squad
Malcolm Attard (Stompers), Christian Briffa (Malta Origin), Julian Caruana (Stompers), Dragan Cerketa (Stompers), Peter Debono (Malta Origin), Darren Edmunds (Team Pit), Sam Keep (Malta Origin), Joe Paolella (Malta Origin), Jean-Pierre Zarb (Eagles).