BOURNVILLE’S Maltese international Louis Misfud has set a target of becoming the best back row in National Two West.
The 23-year-old, who is comfortable playing across the back row, made his Test debut this year against Cyprus.
Misfud qualifies for Malta through his grandparents and hopes to help his nation reach Europe’s third-tier international competition, the Rugby Trophy.
He told The Rugby Paper: “My debut against Cyprus in May was a fantastic experience. Last month I got to play in Malta for the first time in front of our home crowd which was exceptional and even better than my first cap.
“A pleasant surprise was the standard of rugby and commitment from the boys. You often think that level may be more of a social thing, but it’s a team with high aspirations to go on to bigger and better heights.
“They’re recruiting from the UK, Australia, all sorts of different places to compete with other teams. If we win the next two matches, we’ll be looking at a play-off to go into the league above which is very doable. Long-term we want to play World Cup qualifying matches against the best teams we can.”
The dominant carrier, who is 6ft 2ins and weighs over 17st 3lbs, says Taunton Titans blindside Ratu Vakalutukali is the best he’s come up against in the division thus far after their meeting back in September where Taunton edged Bournville 27-20.
“He was a formidable player in terms of how he conducted himself around the field and was very efficient,” added Misfud.
“Everything he did was with a purpose and was positive. I want to get into those areas of the pitch where every time I’m getting the ball or making defensive efforts, it’s a positive contribution.
“I want to be the best player in my position across the league, that’s my personal goal. That comes from each week trying to get a little bit better and building my game by turning my strengths into super strengths.”
Bournville are renowned for the good work of their pack and have set their sights on breaking into the top six after finishing tenth in 2023/24, but to do that they must rectify their away struggles.
Misfud said: “Last weekend against Exeter University we didn’t come out the blocks in the first 20 which has been our downfall this season and last. Our home ground has almost been a fortress, teams have struggled there, even some of the top sides. But when we go away we don’t start the same way at least for the first quarter.
“We were 21-0 down after seven minutes and the game finished with only three points in it. If we hadn’t given away silly penalties in that first block and not made errors it could have been different which is the story of our season on the road.”
