The Maltese national team will be facing Croatia this afternoon in an important European Nations Championship qualifier at the Hibernians Stadium (kick-off 2pm).

This will be an important match for Malta in its efforts to avoid having to take part in a play off to avoid relegation.

Croatia are considered as one of the strongest teams in Division 2 A and, as such, Malta coach Damien Neill is expecting a very tough clash. In the last match between the two teams, Croatia had won 34-14, but Neill is now relying on a stronger outfit to try and beat the Croatians.

A number of players like Luke Watts, Oliver Sacco, Josef Zahra and Vince Stivala, who had missed previous matches due to injuries or unavailability, are all back in the squad.

Neill said there are also some new faces and these include Dragan Cerketa, Darren Deguara and James Kirk.

Neill said the team has prepared well for this encounter and he is adamant that the players are fully committed to do their job.

During the interval of next Saturday’s clash, there will be an exhibition by girls and boys from the Under 9s, 11s and 13s sectors. These were selected from the School of Rugby, sponsored by GasanMamo Insurance.

The squad from among whom the team will be selected, is the following:

Oliver Sacco, Joss Howland, Dominic Busuttil, Charles Sammut, Thomas Holloway, Rob Holloway, Alistair Livesey, James Obrien, Daniel Holliday, Mark Davey, Andrew Dixon, Harry Collins, Kyle Mason, Nathan Gatt, Clayton Cassar, James Kirk, Darren Deguara, Matthew Camilleri, Luke Watts, Ian Borda, Paul Calgaro, Max Galea, Dragan Cerketa, Vince Stivala, Chris Vassallo, Josef Zahra and Tom Pace Moore.