Brothers play for Malta

Rugby brothers Rob and Tom Holloway are proud to be Maltesers after making their international debuts for their mother’s home country of Malta.

The brothers are former captains of St Ambrose College, the Christian Brothers foundation in Altrincham, Manchester.

Rob Holloway said: “We have always been immensely proud of both our Maltese and British heritages.”

His brother, Tom, added: “Maltesers are naturally cool and calm and that’s always useful on a rugby pitch.”

Tom said: “It was a moving and memorable experience to pull on the shirt and hear the national anthem.” Rob added: “The significance of playing for your country cannot be underestimated.”

Rob, 20, now plays for Kersal and Tom, 22, for Sale FC. Both have ambitions to play in the national leagues while pursuing their careers.

The brothers took part in a 19-0 defeat by Netherlands, before beating Latvia 27-10 and are now looking forward to further internationals in the European League this summer.

Although the young men formed a pivotal partnership at half-back, with Tom a sniping scrum-half and Rob an incisive fly-half, aside from in the back garden it was the first time they had ever played together. Tom said: “It went pretty well considering we hadn’t played that much with each other.” Rob added: “It might be fair to say we have a natural partnership, but it can only improve with practice.”

Originally from Brooklands Road, Sale, near Manchester, Rob is currently studying medicine at Nottingham University, while Tom has just completed a physiology degree at Nottingham.

Paul Rush, head of the sixth form at St Ambrose and sports master, said: “They are both outstanding young men who always gave 100 per cent inside the classroom and on the field.”