Malta and Bulgaria have announced their squads for the men’s senior international in Marsa on September 23 (kick off 4pm local time), which is for world ranking points.

Last weekend Malta defeated Montenegro 34-10 in Tivat and this fixture will kick off their involvement in the #BeActive European Week of Sport.

The hosts name three debutants, Brendan Dalton and Sven Camilleri of Malta Red Knights together with Karol Spiteri from the Blue Knights. Also in the squad is Barrow Raiders star and Malta veteran Jarrod Sammut.

Last year, Malta defeated Bulgaria 50-6 in Sofia and stand in head coach Paul Humphrey said: “After a fantastic domestic season, we’re looking forward to our second and final international fixture of the 2023 European season.

The team is well prepared and raring to go. I’m really looking forward to a competitive and hard fought game.”

Bulgaria are set to feature a father and son, 16-year-old Georgi Parizov making his bow alongside his dad Vladislav who both play for RLC Lokomotive Sofia, with Maxim Joakimsman, Aleksandar Tomanov and Anton Georgiev also on debut.

Acting head coach, Tihomir Simenov, noted: “We are very excited to travel to Malta for what will be a tough encounter.

They currently hold a higher ranking than us on the world stage, but we approach this match with determination and confidence.

Our players, led by our brave captain, Tsvetan Rachev, are ready to face the challenge. On a bigger stage, these games are vital for rugby league in our part of the world and I hope it will be a great party and advertisement for the sport.”

The match will be live-streamed with the link available on matchday.

MALTA KNIGHTS

Jarrod Sammut (Barrow Raiders, England), Robin Cutajar, Kyle Gauci, Jean-Pierre Zarb (Black Knights, Malta), Mark Robertson, Liam Scicluna, Karol Spiteri, William Watts (Blue Knights, Malta), Kaine Dimech (Cornwall RLFC, England), Alfie Jewitt (Featherstone Lions), Reece Dimech (Medway Dragons, England), Karl Cassar (RAF Rugby League), Mark Camilleri, Sven Camilleri, Brendan Dalton, Peter Debono, Jean Scholey, Nicky Vella (Red Knights, Malta), Justin Davenport (Tampa Mayhem, USA)

BULGARIA

Doycho Slavin (RC Bulls Burgas), Georgi Parizov, James Sherwood, Kevork Kasparyan, Kiril Atanasov, Martin Hristov, Maxim Joakimsman, Mitko Atanasov, Teodor Manchev, Tihomir Simeonov, Tsvetan Rashev, Simeon Tsvetanov, Stanislav Borisov, Vladislav Parizov (RLC Lokomotive Sofia), Aleksandar Tomanov, Veselin Peychev (RFC Valiacite Pernik), Anton Georgiev (RC Varna)