The International season kicks off for Malta tomorrow in Makarska,

Croatia, when the National Rugby Team takes on a strong Croatian team (Kick-off 3pm).

Malta has already played Croatia in a home fixture this time last year, where Croatia came out strong winners with a 40 – 18 score that reflected the superior quality of our opposition. Croatia are coming out of a positive win against Poland, who are ranked 35th and the favourites to win the group, at home only two weeks ago.

On their part the Maltese squad, under the guidance of national coach Damian Neill, are currently on a week long training camp in the United Kingdom at the base of the 21st Signal Regiment Air Support in Azimghur Barracks, Colerne, Wiltshire and will last till today when the squad flies out to Croatia.

The training camp has been organised by the expert help of Mr Danny Sacco who has been of immense help to the MRFU over the years.

Mr. Aled Thomas is once again Damian’s Assistant Coach for the backs, he brings to the squad a vast knowledge of the game through his experience gained while playing and also coaching.

The Malta Rugby Football Union also thanked and showed its utmost gratitude towards Major Guy Richards and Capt Jason Goldsworthy at the 21st Signal Regiment for their great support and excellent facilities.

Danny Sacco has worked hard to build a relationship with these gentlemen and in fact both parties are keen to establish a long standing understanding that will benefit the Malta national squad especially since the facilities are of a very high standard. It is extremely difficult to find facilities that are both of a good standard and also within the allocated budgets of the MRFU.

A welcome return to the Malta squad is Rohan Spiteri who has been out of contention through injury for the past two seasons.

Also, part of the squad are two new faces, Justin Bugeja a forward and James Bartolo a scrum-half (9). The official team announcement is not expected to be made until this evening and as such will only be available on match day.

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Malta Squad

Daryl Psaila (Overseas RUFC, Malta), David Borg (Kavallieri RFC, Malta), Dominic Busuttil (Beddau RFC, UK), Guy Kennedy (Queanbeyan Whites RFC, Australia), Harry Collins (Hartpury College, UK), Ian Borda (Kavallieri RFC, Malta), James Finlason (Hove RFC, UK), Justin Bugeja (Liverpool John Moores, UK), James Bartolo (Edinburgh Academicals, UK), Rohan Spiteri (Goulburn Stockmen RFC, Australia), Lee Culnane (Tuggeranong Vikings RFC, Australia), Leonard Mifsud (Stompers RFC, Malta), Malcolm Attard (Stompers RFC, Malta), Matthew Mirabelli (Stompers RFC, Malta), Michael Whitney (Royal Agricultural College Cirencester, UK), Michael McArdle (Ealing RFC, UK), Nicholas Warren (Wootton Bassett RFC, UK), Oliver Sacco (Clifton RFC, UK), Ryan Borg (Cronulla Sharks RFC, Australia), Saviour Zarb (Easts Rugby Canberra RFC, Australia), Steven Kempster (Tring RFC, UK), Thomas Webb (Eton Manor RFC, UK), Thomas Watts (Old Coventrians RFC, UK).

National Coach: Damian Neill.

Assistant Coach: Aled Thomas.

Team Manager: Danny Sacco.

MRFU Official: Steven Busuttil.

Referee: Mr C. Jones (Austian Rugby Union)

Match Commissioner: Mr Rossano Faccioli (Italian Rugby Union)