Malta national rugby union team

Malta
Union Malta Rugby Football Union
Nickname(s) Il-imtaten (The Rams)
Emblem(s) The Ram
Coach(es) Damian Neill
Captain(s) Domenic Busuttil
First international
Moldova Moldova 58–8 Malta Malta
(2000-11-18)
Largest win
Andorra Andorra 15–63 Malta Malta
(2016-10-22)
Largest defeat
Moldova Moldova 58–8 Malta Malta
(2000-11-18)

The Malta national rugby union team are governed by the Malta Rugby Football Union (MRFU). Although Malta has yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, the island state has made remarkable progression since its first international in 2000. It is currently competing in the European Division 2A and finished 2nd to promoted Netherlands in the 2013–14 season.

History

Main article: Rugby union in Malta

Malta's national team played their first match on November 18, 2000, against Moldova in Chişinău, which Moldova won 58–8. They played a subsequent match against Belgium that same year in Marsa, which Belgium won 26–0. Malta played four matches in 2001, and they recorded their first win in the fourth of them, against Monaco in Marsa. This was followed by a draw 10–10 with Norway, defeating Lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia-Montenegro, Latvia and Hungary. They then played Moldova in 2004.

Malta then proceeded to enter the 2007 Rugby World Cup European qualification tournament where they were grouped in Pool D of the second round. After finishing third in their pool with two wins from four pool games, Malta entered a play-off along with Denmark, Andorra and Sweden to enter round three. Malta were successful and entered Pool B of round three.

The team is currently ranked 43rd in the World Rugby world rankings, their highest ever position. They are coached by Welshman Damian Neill, a former Number 8 in the Welsh Premiership with Aberavon RFC and Maesteg RFC.

Current squad

Note: Caps correct 8 November 2014

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province
Daniel Holliday Hooker 16
Rhodri Apsee Prop 6
Kyle Mason Prop 26
Clayton Cassar Lock 18
Dragan Cerkata Lock 9 Malta Stompers
John Ellul Lock 3 Malta Stompers
Christian Schranz Lock 7
Daniel Apsee Flanker 12
Darren Deguara Flanker 13
Joseph Cutajar Number 8 8
Luke Watts Number 8 30
Thomas Holloway Scrum-half 16
James Morris Fly-half 11
Dominic Busutill (c) Centre 40
Toby Quarendon Centre 14
Marvin Cordle Wing 2
James Kirk Wing 10
Vince Stivala Wing 16
James O'Brien Fullback 24
Matthew Camilleri Wing 13 Malta Stompers

Coaches

Name Years Tests Won Lost Drew Win percentage
Len Ethel 2000–2001 3 0 3 0 0%
Nigal Ben Bennett 2001–2002 4 2 2 0 50%
Graham Richards 2002–2004 9 7 2 1 80%
Damain Neil 2004– 43 20 23 0 73%

Records of International Matches

Malta's test match record against all nations:[1]

Against Played Won Lost Drawn % Won
 Andorra 2 1 1 0 50
 Austria 1 1 0 0 100
 Belgium 2 0 2 0 0
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 1 0 0 100
 Bulgaria 2 2 0 0 100
 Croatia 10 4 6 0 40
 Czech Republic 1 0 1 0 0
 Denmark 2 1 1 0 50
 Germany 1 0 1 0 0
 Hungary 1 1 0 0 100
 Latvia 7 5 2 0 71
 Lithuania 6 4 2 0 67
 Luxembourg 1 1 0 0 100
 Moldova 2 0 2 0 0
 Monaco 2 1 1 0 50
 Netherlands 4 0 4 0 0
 Norway 1 0 0 1 50
 Poland 3 0 3 0 0
 Serbia 3 2 1 0 67
 Slovenia 1 0 1 0 0
 Sweden 4 3 1 0 75
  Switzerland 3 2 1 0 67
Total 60 29 30 1 49

See also

References

  1. "Results of all Internationals" (PDF). Malta Rugby. Retrieved 2015-02-04.
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