Two rugby players caught streaking in front of the Mdina cathedral in broad daylight as punishment for a sub-par performance were told off by a magistrate today.

The 21-year-old and 19-year-old who play for French rugby team Essec this afternoon pleaded guilty to the incident, which happened at 4pm yesterday. 

Essec are currently training in Malta and are due to play again next Saturday morning against Maltese opposition in the International Clubs Tournament.

Police inspector Neville Mercieca told the court that they were alerted about the case by a fixed-point officer stationed outside the residence of former EU ambassador Richard Cachia Caruana.

It seems that this was a form of punishment reserved for the two worst performers in their last match, he told the court. He then proceeded to present photographic evidence of the offense, amid giggles in the courtroom.

"Now you will get a bigger punishment," presiding magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras told the two embarrassed men who stood motionless behind the dock.

During submission on punishment legal aid lawyer Victor Bugeja argued for a lenient sentence, while noting that his clients had collaborated with the police and filed a guilty plea at an early stage.

The two rugby players were discharged on condition of not committing another crime within six months and slapped with a €250 fine each.