Malta Rugby League have become the latest international team to announce their squad, as they prepare for two fixtures in this year’s European Rugby League Championship.

They are one of many teams preparing for this year’s Championships, as nine nations are split into three divisions, groups B, C and D. Malta are in group B, and will take on the Netherlands and Serbia. Group B is the top division in the competition, but face two tough outfits over the next six weeks.

The Netherlands are ranked ninth in the Men’s International Rugby League Rankings, with Serbia ranked 11th. Malta are placed in 13th, however their squad includes multiple players from Super League and the NRL, as they look to secure some strong wins to finish the season.

Ahead of the series, Malta have named a 44-man initial train-on squad that will help them pick out their best talents to take forward into the Championships.

There are four players selected in the side that have had NRL experience this year. The biggest name in the squad comes in the shape of Canterbury Bulldogs centre, Bronson Xerri. The 25-year-old has been integral to the Dogs rise up the table this year, helping them reach a third placed finish before bowing out in the second week of the finals series to Penrith Panthers. Xerri scored a try in the defeat, his ninth of the year. Tallis Duncan, who has over 50 NRL appearances for South Sydney Rabbitohs joins him in the squad.

Also included is Super League back rower Sam Stone, who spent the second half of the season on-loan at Warrington Wolves from Salford Red Devils. Stone, 28, has already represented Malta on two occasions in 2018 and qualifies through heritage. His grandmother was born in the country, making him quarter-Maltese.

Rugby league journeyman Jarrod Sammut is named in the squad, in what will be his 10th appearance representing the country. Now 38, Sammut last played for Keighley Cougars at the start of this year before having his contract mutually terminated in March.

The full squad, which includes players from leagues in five different countries, can be found on Malta’s Facebook page here, however here is a list of the NRL and Super League talent selected in the squad:

Jack Attard (Penrith Panthers), Lucas Borg (St George Illawarra), Jai Camilleri (Cronulla Sharks), Tallis Duncan (South Sydney), Harrison Jewitt (Castleford Tigers), Ryley Smith (Parramatta Eels), Luke Sommerton (Penrith Panthers), Sam Stone (Salford Red Devils), Bronson Xerri (Canterbury Bulldogs).

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