RUGBY TEST: Latvians in Malta

24.04.2010
Latvia v Malta in Paola (ENC 2B)

Venue: Hibernians Stadium

Referee: Mauro Dordola (Italy)

Image thanks to http://www.maltarugby.com/page.asp?n=newsdetails&i=14017

Preview

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	PT
NETHERLANDS	7	7	0	0	205	74	131	21
CROATIA	6	5	0	1	131	83	48	16
MALTA	7	3	0	4	105	146	-41	13
SWEDEN	7	1	0	6	130	150	-47	9
LATVIA	7	1	0	6	87	210	-120	9

This is the lesser important game of the two ENC 2B matches this weekend. Latvia upset a depleted Swedish side last Saturday and must win to have a chance of avoiding relegation to ENC 3A for 2010-12.

Malta's rugby team has had an interesting and exhausting week. Firstly the team had to bus from England to the Netherlands for last weekends game. They lost 0-19 to the Netherlands but held the upper hand for most of the second half. The team has then had to find its way back to Malta for this game which again has meant a number of long bus trips. Situated in the middle of the table they can neither win the competition nor are they in danger of relegation. It would appear the Latvians have more to play for and should be a difficult team to defeat.

More previews at http://www.maltasport.com/modules/knowledge/item.php?itemid=5092

Previous Encounters
18.04.2009 Malta 32-19 in Riga (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2B)
17.11.2007 Malta 16-13 in Marsa (ENC 2B)
28.10.2006 Latvia 27-16 in Riga (ENC 2B)
24.04.2004 Malta 10-8 in Riga (ENC 3A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Malta 21st, Latvia 22nd

Prediction: Malta by 10 points

Both team list were unavailable at posting time.