MALTA v CZECH REPUBLIC: REC 2A

21.11.2015

Venue: Hibernians Stadium, Paola

Referee: Sébastien Boyer (France)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
SWITZ.	6	5	0	1	154	102	52	2	22
CZECH REP	5	3	1	1	106	82	26	3	17
CROATIA	6	5	0	3	146	141	5	5	17
MALTA	5	2	0	3	107	123	-16	2	10
ISRAEL	6	0	1	5	101	157	-56	2	4

Preview
Malta’s place in the competition seems secure so only pride is resting on this game for them. The Czech Republic on the other hand needs a win desperately to stay within reach of competition leaders Switzerland.

Previous Encounter
08.11.2014 Czech Republic 2-13 in Prague (REC 2A)

Malta Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
14.11.2015 v Croatia L 27-34 in Split (REC 2A)
25.04.2014 v Switzerland L 20-23 in Valetta (REC 2A)
18.04.2015 v Israel W 16-13 in Netanya (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Czech Republic L 13-27 in Prague (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Croatia W 31-26 in Valetta (REC 2A)

Czech Republic Last Five P 5, W 3, D 1,L 1
24.10.2014 v Switzerland L 14-20 in Prague (REC 2A)
25.04.2014 v Israel D 26-26 in Prague (REC 2A)
11.04.2015 v Croatia W 12-9 in Zagreb (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Malta W 27-13 in Prague (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Switzerland W 27-14 in Nyon (REC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Czech Republic 17th, Malta 23rd

World Rugby Ranking Points
Czech Republic 49.61, Malta 47.21

Prediction: Czech Republic by 6 points. Score 22-16

TEAMS

Czech Republic

1 Staněk, 2 Hruška, 3 Kubálek - 4 Wognitsch, 5 Voves - 6 Backa, 7 Havel, 8 Loutocký - 9 Schütz, 10 Jursík - 11 Čížek J, 12 Stejskal, 13 Pantůcek, 14 Kovář - 15 Čížek P.

lavička: 16 Mára, 17 Havlicek, 18 Okleštěk, 19 Vokrouhlík, 20 Kolář, 21 Soural, 22 Šimák, 23 Macháček L.

http://www.rugbyunion.cz/cs/article/518

Malta team not available

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: Saturday 21 November

21.11.2015
Portugal v Zimbabwe in Hong Kong (Cup of Nations)
Hong Kong v Russia in Hong Kong (Cup of Nations)
Spain v Chile in Torrelavega (Friendly)
Malta v Czech Republic in Valette (REC 2A)
Guatemala v El Salvador in Guatemala City (Herman Arrúa Cup)

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2A

14.11.2015
Switzerland v Israel in Auvsey (REC 2A)
Croatia v Malta in Split (REC 2A)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
SWITZ.	5	4	0	1	126	99	27	2	18
CZECH REP	5	3	1	1	106	82	26	3	17
CROATIA	5	4	0	3	112	124	-12	4	12
MALTA	4	2	0	2	80	89	-9	1	9
ISRAEL	5	0	1	4	98	129	-31	2	4

Previews
Switzerland should account for Israel at home. Croatia and Malta slug out a middle of the table clash which should see the home team win.

Predictions
Switzerland by 18 v Israel. Score 32-14
Croatia by 15 v Malta. Score 36-21

TEAMS

Switzerland Squad

SCHAERER , Benjamin , RC Kourou
CHAMAND , Romain , RC GPLO
BARTSCHI , Clément , l'US Romans
GUYOU , Nicolas , RC Tricastin
ALBER , Edgar , CS Vienne
WULLSCHLEGGER , Jonathan , SO Givors -Rugby
POMMIES , Ludovic , RC LUC
LIN , Cyril , RC Nyon
DOY , Benjamin , l'USBPA
HIRSCH , Gaëtan , RC GPLO
HEINRICH , Lucas , CSBJ
GUYOU , Matthieu , RCACP
MONTIEL , Ghislain , RC Saint Médard en Jalles
HIRSCH , Sylvain , RC GPLO
GERY , Thibault , RC Servette
RONZA , Manuel , RC LUC
MORITZ , Benjamin , RC Avusy
COULLON , Alexandre , RC Nyon
ASPIROZ DE ACHAVAL , Matias , RC Stade Lausanne
GREENHALGH , Henry , Angleterre
LUKUSA , Jeremie , RC Pontarlier
GANGATH , Francis , RC Hermance
HUSTAIX , Dorian , RC Servette

http://www.suisserugby.com/uploads/tx_news/Liste_selectionnes__Suisse_Israel_14112015_FINAL.pdf

Other squads not available

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: REC 2A & 2B

25.04.2015
Switzerland 23, Malta 20 in Valetta (REC 2A)
Israel 26, Czech Republic 26 in Prague (REC 2A)
Lithuania 46, Latvia 11 in Siaulai (REC 2B)

Briefly
Israel caused the major surprise of the test rugby weekend by drawing with the fancied Czech side in Prague. The Czechs had to come from way behind and just salvaged a draw but this is an indication of the development of Israeli rugby.

As I predicted Switzerland and Malta slugged out a very close contest in Malta. Meanwhile in Siaulai Lithuania were too strong for their neighbours.

REC 2A: SWITZERLAND v MALTA

25.04.2015

Venue: Hibernians Stadium, Vallette

Referee: Gert Visser (Germany)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
CZECH REP	3	3	0	0	66	36	30	2	14
SWITZ.	3	2	0	1	83	65	18	2	10
MALTA	3	2	0	1	60	66	-6	0	8
CROATIA	4	1	0	3	86	103	-17	4	8
ISRAEL	3	0	0	3	51	76	-25	1	1

Preview
These two teams are locked together just in behind the Division favourite Czech Republic. Both have played three matches for two wins. Switzerland is ahead thanks to two bonus points.

In the three test matches played between these two nations the home team has, going against the trend at this level of test rugby, lost. I predict the same will occur in a very close tight game that could go either way. Nothing in it!

Previous Encounters
12.04.2014 Malta 29-14 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)
06.04.2013 Switzerland 19-10 in Valette (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2A)
16.10.2004 Malta 17-8 in Avusy (WCQ Europe R2, Pool B)

Switzerland Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
18.04.2015 v Croatia W 40-20 in Monthey (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Czech Republic L 14-27 in Nyon (REC 2A)
25.10.2014 v Israel W 29-18 in Netanya (REC 2A)
26.04.2014 v Lithuania L 18-24 in Vilnius (ENC 2A)
12.04.2014 v Malta L 14-29 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)

Malta Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
18.04.2015 v Israel W 16-13 in Netanya (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Czech Republic L 13-27 in Prague (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Croatia W 31-26 in Valetta (REC 2A)
12.04.2014 v Switzerland W 29-14 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)
05.04.2014 v Netherlands L 10-33 in Valetta (ENC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Malta 20th, Switzerland 22nd

World Rugby Ranking Points
Malta 49.30, Switzerland 47.22

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Malta 49.30, Switzerland 47.22

World Rugby Ranking Points
Malta 49.30, Switzerland 47.22

Prediction: Switzerland by 1 point: Score 17-16

TEAMS

Switzerland

15-Thimbault Gery 12.03.1991
14-Sylvain Hirsch 14.05.1992
13-Chislain Montiel 29.09.1987
12-Mathieu Guyou 04.07.1975
11-Lucas Heinrich 13.06.1995
10-Sebastien Dimitri 27.09.1994
9-Benjamin Doy 13.09.1993
8-Brice Monzeglio 28.06.1983
7-Cyril Lin 17.08.1984
6-Cyril Coulot 14.02.1986
5-Nicolas Guyou 14.02.1982
4-Edgar Alber 04.01.1994
3-Clement Bartschi 20.11.1985
2-Mathieu Paul 15.11.1984
1-Cyril Lafuye 10.10.1990

Replacements
16-Benjamin Schaerer 30.03.1992
17-Benjamin Moritz 26.08.1995
18-Alexandre Coullon 26.06.1987
19-Jake Serex 07.12.1985
20-Ludovic Pommies 12.07.1984
21-Ivan Kraljevic 10.09.1991
22-Florin Escoffier 06.12.1993
23-Eddy Gombas 01.11.1988

Head Coach: Gil Coquard

Thanks to Veronika Muehlhofer, CEO (General Secretary),
Swiss Rugby Union

Malta squad not available

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND Part 1: European Rugby

25.04.2015
Switzerland v Malta in Valetta (REC 2A)
Israel v Czech Republic in Prague (REC 2A)
Latvia v Lithuania in Siaulai or Vilnius (REC 2B)
Serbia v Denmark in Odense (REC 2C)
Slovenia v Austria in Vienna (REC 2C)
Bosnia Herzegovina v Finland in Zenica (REC 2D)
Turkey v Bulgaria TBC

Briefly
A big weekend in European test rugby as the European Rugby Championship continues. For many teams this is the final competition game of the season. Competition points will carry over to next season being the final round.

Of the two games in Division 2A the Swiss v Malta game is between the No.2 and No.3 teams on the points table. Both have one loss each and sit below undefeated Czech Republic. The challenge to Czech Republic next season could well be one of these two teams.

The Division 2B games is a local derby between two Baltic nations. Last season Lithuania were relegated and for the first time in a while these two neighbours find them selves in the same league. Both share top spot on the table and both are undefeated.It will be an interesting clash.

Top team Czech Republic plays bottom placed Israel who are finding this competition very tough.

There are two games in Division 2C. Serbia’s turn around performance last week against Austria could well mean they keep Denmark at the bottom of the table. But how well will Serbia travel and can they travel with their best team. Two important factors at this level of competition.

The Slovenia-Austria test rugby match has some significance about it. Slovenia is tucked in behind competition leaders Luxembourg with one loss. Austria’s surprise loss to Serbia last weekend will be a cause for concern in Vienna.

In 2D Division Bosnia Herzegovina are the two undefeated sides and they clash in Zenica. Again it’s a case of what sort of team has Finland been able to pick and how well will they travel. Bosnia Herzegovina are a tough team to play on their home soil. A mouth watering clash. I’d love to be there!

I cannot confirm that the Bulgaria-Turkey match is scheduled for today. If it does we have the unusual situation in that they have already played each other this season and this would be a round two fixture. Very strange!

A fantastic weekend of test rugby in Europe will soon be upon us.

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Divs 1B and 2A

18.04.2015
Belgium 53, Poland 23 in Brussels (REC 1B)
Malta 16, Israel 13 in Netanya (REC 2A)
Switzerland 40, Croatia 20 in Monthey (REC 2A)

Briefly
I was not expecting Belgium to win this game as they were short of about half a dozen top players. They proved me wrong and won comfortably against a disappointing Polish side.

Malta and Switzerland won as expected but I was a little surprised by Switzerland’s winning margin

REC Division 2A: Malta v Israel

18.04.2015

Image thanks to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Israeli-National-Rugby-Team/115698775148292?sk=timeline

Venue: Wingate Institute, Netanya

Referee: Andrea Spadoni (Italy)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
CZECH REP	3	3	0	0	66	36	30	2	14
CROATIA	3	1	0	2	66	63	3	4	8
SWITZ.	2	1	0	1	43	45	-2	1	5
MALTA	2	1	0	1	44	53	-9	0	4
ISRAEL	2	0	0	2	38	60	-22	0	0

Preview
Israel has struggled since gaining promotion to this level of European international test rugby.

Playing at home Israel can expect a huge and vocal support from fans dressed in blue. This has been the way since Israel’s successful promotion up through the divisions-2C in 2010-11 and now 2A in 2014-15. The development of interest in rugby in Israel in that time has been fantastic.

Malta has a better recent record against teams Israel has played in 2A. Despite playing away Malta should prove too strong in the second half. Expect a huge effort from Israel

These two teams have never met before in a test rugby international

Israel Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
08.11.2014 v Croatia L 20-31 in Zabreb (REC 2A)
25.10.2014 v Switzerland L 18-29 in Netanya (REC 2A)
26.04.2014 v Latvia L 22-29 in Riga (ENC 2B)
12.04.2014 v Andorra W 20-16 in Netanya (ENC 2B)
02.11.2013 v Denmark W 15-13 in Netanya (WCQ Europe R3 Playoff)

Malta Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
08.11.2014 v Czech Republic L 13-27 in Prague (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Croatia W 31-26 in Valetta (REC 2A)
12.04.2014 v Switzerland W 29-14 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)
05.04.2014 v Netherlands L 10-33 in Valetta (ENC 2A)
09.11.2013 v Croatia W 37-18 in Valetta (ENC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Malta 20th, Israel 25th

World Rugby Rankings
Malta 49.30, Israel 44.60

Prediction: Malta by 10 points. Score 27-17

     

Teams not available

TEST RUGBY RESULTS ENC 8 NOVEMBER

08.11.2014
Moldova 29, Ukraine 15 in Chisinau (ENC 1B)
Czech Republic 27, Malta 13 in Prague (ENC 2A)
Croatia 31, Israel 20 in Croatia (ENC 2A)
Luxembourg 18, Austria 13 in Luxembourg (ENC 2C)

TEST RUGBY RESULTS 12 APRIL; ENC 1B & 2A

12.04.2014
Moldova 28, Ukraine 8 in Chisinau (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Netherlands 45, Croatia 13 in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)
Malta 29, Switzerland 14 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)

Reviews
The Ukraine appeared to be missing a number of their leading players and went down 8-28 to Moldova who gained a bonus point 4th try. Moldova’s win did not appear to be impressive however.

Germany and Moldova share top spot in this competition. Each team has a game to play. Both teams will want top spot as it ensures them a games against Russia in May in the Rugby World Cup Round 5 Playoff. Neither can afford to drop a bonus point although Germany has the points difference advantage, the pressure really being on Moldova.

ENC 1B Points Table

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
GERMANY	9	7	0	2	353	161	192	6	0	34
MOLDOVA	9	7	0	2	248	191	57	6	0	34
POLAND	9	5	0	4	181	154	27	0	1	21
UKRAINE	9	4	0	5	198	199	-1	2	1	19
SWEDEN	9	3	0	6	173	262	-89	1	1	14
CZECH REP.	9	1	0	8	105	291	-186	0	1	5

Remaining Games, all to be played 26 April
Poland v Ukraine in Lvov
Moldova v Czech Republic in Prague
Germany v Sweden in Stockholm

The Germany-Sweden game looks to be the crucial fixture. Moldova will be expected to gain the win and a bonus point against bottom placed Czech Republic.Germany need to win with a bonus point away to ensure they take the title.

In ENC 2A the Netherlands won easily as expected against Croatia but Malta caused an upset with an away win against Switzerland.

At halftime Malta had held Switzerland to 9-9 and then crawled ahead 17-14 with the game in the balance right to the end. Malta apparently scored 12 unanswered points in the last 3 minutes! scoring 2 tries to 1 in the game.

ENC 2A Points Table

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
NETHERL.	8	7	1	0	255	124	131	5	0	35
SWITZ.	7	4	1	2	152	135	17	2	0	20
MALTA	8	4	0	4	162	179	-17	1	1	18
CROATIA	7	1	0	6	120	200	-80	2	1	7
LTHUANIA	6	1	0	5	103	156	-53	0	0	4

Remaining Games
19/04 Lithuania v Croatia in Zagreb
26/04 Switzerland v Lithuania in Lithuania

Lithuania’s struggle to avoid automatic relegation begins next weekend. They play Croatia away and Switzerland at home, both big hurdles to overcome. The game against Croatia could well be crucial to their chances.

The Netherlands and Switzerland have tied up the first two places.