TEST RUGBY: Latvia Desperate to Win

06.11.2010
Latvia v Malta in la Valette (ENC 2A)

Venue: Hibernians Stadium, Corradino

Referee: L.Valin (France)

Preview
Latvia and Malta languish at the bottom of the points table after each has lost a game so far this season. Malta just lost to Lithuania 6-9 last weekend whilst Latvia lost by 2 points to Croatia also last weekend. Another loss for either team will place them closest to relegation even though we have a another round to play next season. It is always difficult to claw your way back from the bottom in this competition.

Latvia has a good record against Malta and won this one away last season.

Last Five Encounters
24.04.2010 Latvia 27-10 in Paola (ENC 2B)
18.04.2009 Latvia 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 22nd, Latvia 23rd

IRB Ranking Points
Malta 46.14, Latvia 42.15

Prediction: Latvia to continue its away success against Malta, and win by 8 points.

Teams

Latvia Squad

Jānis Skuja ("Miesnieki"), Edgars Cīrulis ("Miesnieki"), Āris Andersons ("Miesnieki"), Sandis Barks ("LMT/Eži"), Santis Podāns (Jelgavas "Alnis"), Mareks Larionovs ("LMT/Eži"), Uldis Saulīte ("Jeņisej-STM", Krievija), Māris Čeksters (SK "Ovāls"), Raimonds Krūmiņš ("LMT/Eži"), Jānis Priede ("Miesnieki), Valters Raņķis ("Miesnieki"), Ruslans Kotļevs ("LMT/Eži"), Viktors Silvoniks ("Miesnieki) or Reinis Pepa ("LMT/Eži"), Kristaps Bērziņš ("LMT/Eži"), Jurijs Baranovs ("Jeņisej-STM", Krievija)

Reserves from: Andris Andersons ("Miesnieki"), Leno Bramanis ("Miesnieki"), Vadims Martiņenko (RK 1964), Andrejs Meļņikovs (SK "Ovāls"), Aigars Muzikants ("LMT/Eži"), Romāns Odnokurcevs ("LMT/Eži"), Viesturs Punāns ("LMT/Eži"), Vigo Valdavs ("Garkalne/Livonia"), Viktors Silvoniks ("Miesnieki) or Reinis Pepa ("LMT/Eži").

http://diena.lv/lat/sports/sportaspeles ... ietu-grupa
http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3608

Malta squad not available