Rugby - World Cup qualifier
www.timesofmalta.com
Tough battle against Croats looms at the Hibs Ground(di Valhmor Camilleri)

Another bumper crowd is expected today at the Hibs Ground as happened in the game against Germany.
The rugby national team players are bracing themselves for a 'tough battle' this afternoon when they host Croatia in a World Cup third round qualifier at the Hibs Ground (kick-off: 2 p.m.).
Both countries have four points so far after a win and a defeat in their opening two matches.
Victory for either side today will keep them on course to finish in the top two places of Pool B which guarantee promotion to Division IA of the European Championship next season.
Croatia beat Serbia and Montenegro 26-9 at home in their opening match but lost their next fixture vs Belgium (26-20) in Brussels.
They are ahead of Malta in the current standings but only on a superior score difference. Damien Neill's Malta started with a 43-0 defeat to Germany at the Hibs Ground but then beat Serbia 16-3 away.
Neill has spent the last four weeks thoroughly studying his opponents today mainly through video footage of the Croats' recent outings.
"Croatia is no easy team to play," Neill told The Times.
"At first, we thought that they had similar game strategies as Serbia and based their game on physical strength. However, after watching their last qualifiers they look a more complete outfit.
"They have a very strong pack but at the same time their forwards are very effective too and that means that they will be threatening from all positions. It will be a very tough battle but we are relishing the challenge. Perhaps some might put the Croats favourites but they will have to prove it on the day."
For this match, Neill has given
Eddie Zarb his first call-up to the national team. The
Maltese-Australian prop will join the returning Dean Zammit in the pack this afternoon.
Lee Culane, also based in
Australia, is another new player in the starting formation.
The squad also included seven players from the MRFU leagues.
Among them were new faces Patrick Satariano and Reuben Vella. They were promoted to the senior squad through the successful Malta 'A' initiative.
Locally-based players
The national team relied heavily on overseas players of Maltese nationality but Neill is not surprised that at present there's a notable presence of locally-based players.
"The game here has made giant strides in recent years," Neill commented.
"At the beginning there were some who criticised the MRFU and said they had built their success on foreign-based players.
"But that does not seem to be the case nowadays. However, one has to point out that the inclusion of players with dual citizenship has indeed helped to see the game flourishing here.
"Maltese rugby got the push required to get going thanks to these experienced players as well.
"One also has to look at the performances of the Malta 'A' team.
"Our initiative is leaving the desired dividends. The side has managed to record some impressive wins against stronger opponents and that is the result of hard work and sheer commitment.
"No doubt, if we can keep this upward trend going, more players from the MRFU will feature in the national team in the future."
Malta Line-Up:
1. D. Zammit; 2. H. Collins; 3. E. Zarb; 4. L. Watts; 5. R. Bonavia; 6. G. Kennedy; 7. S. Kempster; 8. D. St George; 9. J. Dimmond; 10. R. Spiteri; 11. O. Sacco; 12. J. Caruana; 13. D. Busuttil; 14. P. Marzella; 15. L. Culane.
Subs: J. Sultana, M. Mirabelli, S. Haycock, D. Gasan, T. Webb, I. Borda, K. Mason.
Pool B results:
Croatia vs Serbia 26-9; Belgium vs Croatia 26-20; Malta vs Germany 0-43; Serbia vs Malta 3-16; Germany vs Serbia 108-0; Serbia vs Belgium 15-36.
Current standings:
Germany, Belgium 6; Croatia, Malta, Serbia and Montenegro 4.
Latest Irb Rankings:
Belgium have moved up to 32 from 35. Croatia are now 36, one place better off than the previous ranking and Malta, too, are one place up following the latest movement from 54 to 53. A win today is sure to take Malta further up the rankings and into the top 50.