Engage Super League and Co-Operative Championship 1 came together with a Maltese flavour recently when Hull KR met the Gateshead Thunder in a three-day training camp in Newcastle, England.

The Rovers have captain and ex Malta Knights assistant coach Michael Vella along with ex Wests Tigers' second row Malta eligible Ben Galea in their 2010 squad.

Based in north-east England, the Thunder recently welcomed Malta international Roderick Attard into their squad joining Malta prop Chris Parker at the club.

RLEF Malta Development Officer Anthony Micallef said "There was quite a Maltese connection to this camp and I join the Malta Rugby League (MRL) Board of Directors and Coaching Staff in taking this opportunity to wish the Maltese players and their teams all the best for the season ahead"

Harlequins’ Matt Gafa has returned from the Engage Super League to Australia while England’s Championship will see Malta international Luke Branighan line up for Halifax.

Pictured (l-r): Roderick Attard (Thunder), Michael Vella (Hull KR), Chris Parker (Thunder) and Ben Galea (Hull KR).