Roderick Attard will become the first Maltese rugby league player to trial with a professional club when he travels to Newcastle this week.
The Malta half-back will start a trial with Championship club Gateshead Thunder on Friday with a view to selection for the 2010 squad.
The 25-year-old Malta international was buoyed by a strong performance in Malta's recent 36-28 victory over Bamber Bridge at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, scoring a try and kicking five conversions.