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