SWINDON schoolteacher Nick Warren hopes it will be a case of second time lucky when he joins Malta's national team for the latest leg of their European Championship bid later this month.

The Headlands PE master has been selected to join coach Graham Richards' 25-man squad for the Division Three Pool B clashes against Luxembourg at home on March 30 and away to Bosnia in Sarejevo on April 5.

Warren was part of Richards' plans for their opening matches against Lithuania and Austria last year.

But despite two wins that took unbeaten Malta to the top of the group winger Warren was not called from the bench to win his first cap.

That is a situation he hopes to rectify this time and he has certainly boosted his chances after switching from Gloucestershire Premier Division strugglers Cirencester to South West Two West promotion hopefuls Stroud in December.

Warren said: "Getting the call last time was a real experience, but now I want to go a stage further and win my first cap.

"I was a bit disappointed not to get on during the last two games, but it's good to know I am still in the coach's plans.

"I honestly didn't think I would make it this time because they have called in a few more players to the training squad.''

Malta top the group and two wins in the next two games would continue to boost their standing among rugby's emerging countries.

Warren added: "We made a good start and if we can win these two it will improve our chances of being involved in the top 40 and future Rugby World Cups.''

n CIRENCESTER under eights earned to wins and a draw from the first round of Gloucestershire County Cup matches at Stroud.

They beat Longlevens 20-15, Drybrook 40-20 and tied 10-10 with Berry Hill.

The results should make sure Ciren are seeded for the next round at Hucclecote on March 30.

n Squad: Fintan Lennon, Luke Pillonel, Sam Christopherson, James Adey, Lance Baynham, Tom George, James McPherson, Ben Field, Arik Cuciurean, Douglas Cooper, Angus Comery, Alex Lewis

n The under nine squad had three wins in the first round of the County Festival at Spartans in Gloucester.

They beat Dursley 15-0, Gus Collyer-Bristow and Michael Koslowicz twice scoring tries.

Minchinhampton were beaten 20-5, with Koslowicz scoring another brace and fly-half Jos Pink and outside centre Garin Eldred adding the others.

Then followed a 50-0 triumph over Widden, Collyer-Bristow (3), Newman, Mason, Koslowicz, Eldred, Pink (2) and Broadstock the scorers.

Ciren went through to the second round later this month at Drybrook as pool winners.