Malta national rugby union team

Last updated

Malta
Nickname(s)L-imtaten (The Rams)
EmblemThe Ram
UnionMalta Rugby Football Union
Head coachKeith Hopkins
CaptainDominic Busuttil
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body redquarters14.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current44 (as of 20 March 2023)
Highest38 (7 April 2022)
Lowest45 (2023)
First international
Flag of Moldova.svg Moldova 58–8 Malta Flag of Malta.svg
(18 November 2000)
Biggest win
Flag of Andorra.svg Andorra 3–89 Malta Flag of Malta.svg
(24 March 2018)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 81–10 Malta  Flag of Malta.svg
(19 May 2018)
World Cup
Appearances0

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.

Contents

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 46th in the world (as of 13 November 2022).

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.

Record

World Cup

World Cup record World Cup Qualification record
YearRoundPWDLFAPWDLFA
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 1987 Not InvitedNot Invited
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg IRFU flag.svg Flag of France.svg 1991 did not enterdid not enter
Flag of South Africa.svg 1995 did not enterdid not enter
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1999 did not enterdid not enter
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2003 did not qualify500527177
Flag of France.svg 2007 10505139200
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2011 42026670
Flag of England.svg 2015 410373104
Flag of Japan.svg 2019 531116197
Flag of France.svg 2023 Automatically eliminated
Total0/90000002811116466648

European Competitions

SeasonDivision G W D L PF PA +/− Pts Pos
2001-02 European Nations Cup Third Division Pool 3 32104524+2181st
2002-03 European Nations Cup Third Division Pool B 440010154+47121st
2003-04 European Nations Cup Third Division Pool A 43017375-2102nd
2006-08 European Nations Cup Second Division 2B 8206125210-85124th
2008-10 European Nations Cup Second Division 2B 8404132156-24163rd
2010-12 European Nations Cup Second Division 2A 8404146135+11203rd
2012-14 European Nations Cup Second Division 2A 8404162179-17183rd
2014-16 European Nations Cup Second Division 2A 8305153181-28164th
2016-17 Rugby Europe Conference 1 South 431014749+98171st
2017-18 Rugby Europe Conference 1 South 440022148+173201st
2018-19 Rugby Europe Conference 1 South 431011749+68161st
2019-20 Rugby Europe Conference 1 South 21015832+2662nd
2021-22 Rugby Europe Conference 1 South 43016940+29142nd

Overall

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Malta national XV at test level up until 4 May 2024:

OpponentPlayedWonLostDrawn % Won
Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 431075%
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 1100100%
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 20200%
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 3300100%
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 321066.67%
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 1558233.33%
Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 761085.71%
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 30300%
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 211050%
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 10100%
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 1100100%
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 761085.71%
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 752071.43%
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 743057.14%
Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 1100100%
Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 20200%
Flag of Monaco.svg  Monaco 211050%
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 40400%
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 10010%
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 30300%
Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg  Serbia and Montenegro 321066.67%
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 431075%
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 431075%
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 523040%
Total904839353.33%

Recent Matches

Current squad

The following players were included in the squad for the 2021–22 Rugby Europe Conference South 1 match against Israel on 13 November 2021. [1]

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

Player Position Date of birth (age)CapsClub/province
Rhodri Apsee Prop Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Bridgend Ravens
Patrick Martin Hooker Flag of Malta.svg Stompers RFC
Dragan Cerketa Prop Flag of Malta.svg Stompers RFC
Martin Barbara Lock Flag of Malta.svg Falcons RFC
Liam Scicluna Lock Flag of Malta.svg Falcons RFC
Cameron Sultana Lock Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Penarth RFC
Benjamin Borg Flanker Flag of Malta.svg Falcons RFC
Daniel Apsee Flanker Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Cowbridge RFC
Mark Davey Number 8 Flag of England.svg Tonbridge Juddian RFC
Thomas Holloway Scrum-half Flag of England.svg Chester RUFC
Robert Holloway Fly-half Flag of England.svg Sedgley Park RUFC
Brendan Dalton Wing Flag of Malta.svg Falcons RFC
Dominic Busuttil (c) Centre
Christopher Dudman Centre Flag of England.svg Rochford Hundred
Jeremy Debattista Wing Flag of Malta.svg Stompers RFC
Richard Gum Fullback Flag of Malta.svg Stompers RFC
Matthew Spiteri Hooker Flag of Malta.svg Stompers RFC
Thomas Davey Number 8
Jethro Zammit Randich Fullback Flag of Malta.svg Kavallieri RFC
Jon Jerome Micallef Lock Flag of Malta.svg Stompers RFC
Matthew Camilleri Centre Flag of Malta.svg Stompers RFC
Luke Matthew Fullback
Philippe Ioffe Wing Flag of Malta.svg UM Wolves RFC
Terence Galdes Prop Flag of Malta.svg Kavallieri RFC

Coaches

NameYearsTestsWonLostDrew
Keith Hopkins2023–present1100
Damian Neill2005–20235311
Len Ethel2000–20013030
Nigal Ben Bennett2001–20024220
Graham Richards2002–20049721

See also

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References

  1. "Malta vs Israel Match Sheet" (PDF). Rugby Europe. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.

https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/competitions/conference-1-south/slovenia-v-malta/ https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/competitions/conference-1-south/croatia-v-malta/