The amazing story of minnow Malta’s achievements on the rugby field continues.

Far ahead of the predictions which some criticised as "boasting", the latest official European rankings, issued on 10 June, place Malta at 12th out of 36 countries outside the ‘6 Nations’.

If the 6 Nations are added on, Malta stands 18th out of 42 countries in total.

Considering that this has been achieved in some six years, with minimal facilities based around one single battered pitch at Marsa, and only circa 150 local based players, together with about 50 Maltese based abroad, with a population of only 400,000, this is a remarkable accomplishment.

This feat was also recognised at the recent Annual General Meeting of the International Rugby Federation (FIRA) in Sorrento, Italy, with the award of a special silver medal to MRFU President Kevin Buttigieg for his services to Maltese Rugby and to European Rugby. The award of such medals is a rare and special occurrence and this was the first for eight years.

This award was a great honour in the world of rugby which Buttigieg insisted is shared by all the players, members and council of the Malta Rugby Football Union, especially those who have represented the Malta national team. He says it also reflects honour and praise for the national, club and junior coaches who have worked so hard to create such success. National coaches Len Ethell, Nigel Bennett, Graham Richards who laid the foundations, and, of course, National Director of Rugby, Damian Neill, under whose direction standards have improved so dramatically.