Malta and Japan are set to put up one considerable fracas at the colosseum, the BCU International Stadium in Australia.

Malta – the Knights – and Japan – conversely known as the Samurais – will meet in a rugby league international at the BCU International Stadium on 25 January but Malta head coach Joe Grima knows his limits.

"I don't know who or where the players (Japanese) are coming from" says Grima.

"(However) if you don't turn up to play, you will end up on the wrong side of the scoreboard. This will be no different…"

"I remember seeing them last year and the crowd really encouraged them too, so we will have to deal with that also"

Grima has named four debutants in a 17-man squad to take on Japan - and merely missing the squad were two Maltese based players.

Maltese based players and the selection of players boasting youthful exuberance are the beginning of a new era for Maltese Rugby League as officials arrive at a position in preparing for the path to the 2012 Rugby League World Cup.

The international against Japan will prepare Malta for their 2007 assault on the world renowned Orara Valley Sevens on the east coast of Australia.

Finances prevented the selection of the Maltese based players. "It is a shame as we really need to tap into the Maltese based players"

"It will promote rugby league in Malta and subsequently make our job of qualifying for the next World Cup much more attainable"

Meanwhile, a near coup of English Super League clubs heading to Malta has turned into a positive venture for the future of rugby league in Malta.

Leeds Rhinos and reigning 2005 English Super League Champions St Helens have reversed on a decision to head to Malta despite the successful visit of Italian football giants, AC Milan.

These clubs boast a number of world class internationals within their ranks and Malta would be extremely privileged to host the squads. Malta offers the perfect weather for these clubs from the North of England to head to.

The visits would incorporate the need to meet a strict training programme by the clubs as well as an objective to benefit the players we have in Malta by way of conducting coaching clinics and specialised training thanks to the first team players.

The experience would be a great benefit to Rugby League in Malta as well as a great promotional tool for the Maltese Islands.