Posted on November 19, 2025
Malta secured a 27-8 victory over Cyprus at Tsirio Stadium in Limassol on Saturday 15 November 2025, in the opening round of the Rugby Europe Men’s Conference. Despite the seemingly comfortable score line, the match was closely contested, with both sides showcasing physicality and determination before Malta pulled away in the final stages.Caps for Cyprus
This match marked a significant milestone for Cyprus Rugby as it was the first international fixture under the guidance of new Head Coach Liam Dunseath and Assistant Coach James Peters. Bringing fresh perspectives and extensive coaching experience, the new leadership team set the tone for the season ahead. The game also witnessed seven players earning their first caps for the Mighty Mouflons, highlighting the blend of youth and experience being cultivated in the squad as Cyprus embarks on this new chapter in its rugby journey.
While Cyprus matched Malta’s intensity and enjoyed some promising attacking phases, the visitors’ superior conversion rate and late-game discipline saw them emerge as deserving winners. The result marks a triumphant start for Malta under their new head coach, Phil Pretorius, while Cyprus will look to regroup and address their set-piece defense ahead of their next outing against Andorra on Saturday 14 March 2026 in Cyprus.
Half-time score: Cyprus 03 – 13 Malta
Full-time score: Cyprus 08 – 27 Malta
Cyprus penalties: Mihali Joannou (25th minute)
Cyprus tries: Alex Pantechis (49th minut