Malta national rugby union team
Encyclopedia
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. It is currently competing in the European Division 2A and is aiming to maintain its status.
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 (November 2011) ranked 42nd in the International Rugby Board
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
.
Malta Rugby Football Union
The Malta Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Malta. It is a full member of the International Rugby Board.-External links:*...
(MRFU). Although Malta has yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
, the island state has made remarkable progression since its first international in 2000. It is currently competing in the European Division 2A and is aiming to maintain its status.
History
Malta's national team played their first match on November 18 in 2000, against MoldovaMoldova national rugby union team
The Moldova national rugby union team represent Moldova at rugby union. They are governed by the Moldovan Rugby Federation , and have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.-History:...
in Chişinău
Chisinau
Chișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
, which Moldova won 58-8. They played a subsequent match against Belgium
Belgium national rugby union team
The Belgium national rugby union team represents the third tier rugby playing nation of Belgium. They first played in 1930 and have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. Rugby union in Belgium is administered by the Belgian Rugby Federation...
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
Monaco national rugby union team
Monaco national rugby union team represents Monaco at rugby union. The team have been playing since the 1990s. They currently compete in Division 3D of the European Nations Cup tournament.-History:...
in Marsa. This was followed by a draw 10-10 with Norway
Norway national rugby union team
Norway national rugby union team is a member of the FIRA - Association of European Rugby and plays in the 3B division of the European Nations Cup...
, defeating Lithuania
Lithuania national rugby union team
The Lithuania national rugby union team represents Lithuania at rugby union. They are governed by the Lithuanian Rugby Federation , and have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.-History:...
, Austria
Austria national rugby union team
Austria is a third tier rugby union playing nation. They began playing international rugby in the early 1990s. Thus far, Austria has not made an appearance at any of the World Cups.-History:...
, Luxembourg
Luxembourg national rugby union team
The Luxembourg national rugby union team represents Luxembourg at rugby union. Luxembourg is a minor team, and is ranked as a third tier nation. The team participates in the annual FIRA-AER European Cup division 3B....
, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia-Montenegro, Latvia
Latvia national rugby union team
The Latvia national rugby union team represent Latvia at the sport of rugby union. They are governed by Latvijas Regbija Federācija and have been playing international rugby since the early 1990s. Rugby has increased in popularity in Latvia recently due to a rise in form...
and Hungary
Hungary national rugby union team
The Hungary national rugby union team represents Hungary at rugby union. They are governed by the Magyar Rögbi Szövetség , and have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, although they have entered qualifiers for all the tournaments from the 1995 edition onwards...
. They then played Moldova in 2004.
Malta then proceeded to enter the 2007 Rugby World Cup European qualification tournament
2007 Rugby World Cup - European qualification
2007 Rugby World Cup - European qualification was based around the European Nations Cup, and decided which European teams participated in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. The group stages counted towards both qualification and the European Nations Cup...
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 (November 2011) ranked 42nd in the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
world rankings, their highest ever position. They are coached by Welshman Damian Neill, a former Number 8 in the Welsh Premiership with Aberavon RFC
Aberavon RFC
Aberavon RFC is a rugby union club located in the Welsh town of Port Talbot, although the club's name refers to the older settlement of Aberavon which lies on the western side of the town...
and Maesteg RFC
Maesteg RFC
Maesteg Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team from the town of Maesteg, South Wales. The club presently play in the Welsh Rugby Union Division One West and is a feeder club for the Ospreys.-Club history:...
.
Current squad
Records of International Matches
Malta's test match record against all nations:| Against | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | % Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25 | |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 | |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 50 | |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| Total | 39 | 18 | 20 | 1 | 46.2 |