Maltese referee Steve Bugeja has been selected to control the European Nations Cup, Division 3C match between Israel and Luxembourg in Netanya on March 21.

The match, which also doubles up as a World Cup 2011 qualifier, will be the second high-profile assignment for Bugeja after the Bosnia-Israel Nations Cup qualifier last year.

Israel currently lead the group with six points from two matches while Luxembourg are joint second with Bulgaria. The top team in Division 3C earns the right to face the winner of Division 3B in a play-off.

Bugeja's appointment by the FIRA follows several years of training with Don Hewer (referees manager) and Damian Neill, Director of Rugby at the MRFU. Bugeja also attended regular courses in Italy over the past four years, conducted by the rugby organisation for match officials, Comitato Italiano Arbitri.

In Italy, Pietro Megha, vice-president of the Comitato Italiano Arbitri, was instrumental in helping Bugeja gain experience on the international scene with a series of appointments for Italian league matches in Rome.

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