Malta national rugby union team

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.

Malta
Nickname(s)Il-imtaten (The Rams)
EmblemThe Ram
UnionMalta Rugby Football Union
Head coachDamian Neill
CaptainDominic Busuttil
First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current38 (as of 23 November 2020)
First international
Moldova 58–8 Malta
(2000-11-18)
Biggest win
Andorra 3–89 Malta
(2018-03-24)
Biggest defeat
Moldova 58–8 Malta
(2000-11-18)
World Cup
Appearances0

It is currently competing in the Rugby Europe Conference, after topping the Conference 1 - South for the past two seasons – 2017 and 2018 – yet failing to win the play-off to rise to the higher level. The national side is ranked 39th in the world (as of 12 October 2019).

History

Malta's national team played their first match on 18 November 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 39th 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: Squad as at 24 March 2018[1]

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

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Rhodri Apsee Prop Bridgend Ravens
Daniel Holliday Hooker Falcons RFC
Anthony Harvey Prop Overseas RFC
Clayton Cassar Lock Overseas RFC
Benji Borg Lock 20 Falcons RFC
Darren Deguara Flanker 20
Luke Watts Flanker Otley R.U.F.C.
Daniel Apsee Number 8 45 30 Cardiff RFC
Julian Galea Scrum-half 43 Falcons RFC
Rob Holloway Fly-half 42 Sedgley Tigers
Chris Dudman Centre Westcliff RFC
Dominic Busuttil (c) Centre 74
Tom Holloway Scrum-half Sale FC Rugby Club
James Kirk Wing 27 27 Hull RUFC
James O'Brien Fullback
Dragan Cerketa Lock Stompers RFC
Matthew Spiteri Prop Stompers RFC
Harry Collins Hooker Overseas RFC
Gary Hili Number 8 Stompers RFC
Rory O'Brien Centre
Andrew Vella Flanker Falcons RFC
Luke Mathews Wing
Brendan Dalton Wing Falcons RFC

Coaches

Name Years Tests Won Lost Drew Win percentage
Damian Neill 2016 - present 5 3 1 1 0%
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%

Records of International Matches

Malta's test match record against all nations:[2]

Against Played Won Lost Drawn % Won
 Andorra211050
 Austria1100100
 Belgium20200
 Bosnia and Herzegovina1100100
 Bulgaria2200100
 Croatia1046040
 Czech Republic10100
 Denmark211050
 Germany10100
 Hungary1100100
 Latvia752071
 Lithuania642067
 Luxembourg1100100
 Moldova20200
 Monaco211050
 Netherlands40400
 Norway100150
 Poland30300
 Serbia321067
 Slovenia10100
 Sweden431075
  Switzerland321067
Total602930149

See also

References

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