Cyprus national rugby union team
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| Union | Cyprus Rugby Federation | |
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| Nickname(s) | The Moufflons | |
| President | Loukkis Pattihis | |
| Captain(s) | Tony Thoma | |
| Most caps | Tony Thoma, George Agathocleous, Dimitri Maratheftis (10) | |
| Top scorer | Marcus Holden (51) | |
| Most tries | George Agathocleous (7) | |
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| First international | ||
 Cyprus 39 - 3 Greece  (2007-03-24) |
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| Largest win | ||
Cyprus 44 - 5 Monaco  |
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| Worst defeat | ||
 Israel 23 - 14 Cyprus (2008-09-06) |
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The Cyprus National Rugby Union Team represents the country of Cyprus in international rugby union. Their nickname is the "The Moufflons" after a kind of horned sheep.
There isn't much understanding of the game in Cyprus but as a result of victories against more established teams the game is starting to get covered in the Cypriot media. It is hoped that the success of the national side will help spread the game on the island.
It is interesting to note that many of the Cypriot players learned their game growing up in countries where rugby is played extensively, such as South Africa and the UK - the countries that their parents or grandparents emigrated to.
The first game for Cyprus took place on 24 March 2007 at home against Greece. The Cypriot XV won 39-3. Cyprus continued their great start in international rugby by beating Azerbaijan 29-0 at the Pafiako Stadium in Paphos on 28 October 2007. They then put in back-to-back victories against Monaco on 31 October 2007 (19-10) and Slovakia on 3 November 2007 (38-8). Having won the FIRA ENC Division 3D Tournament, they qualified for a promotion playoff against Israel. The game took place on 6 September 2008, Cyprus were defeated 23-14 and therefore remain in ENC 3D with Azerbaijan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Monaco and Slovakia.
During the 2009 FIRA AER European Sevens Championship, Cyprus took part in two tournaments in Athens and Spilt. Their performances during these competitions led to them jumping 11 places in the FIRA rankings and are currently ranked 12th in Europe.
Fixtures 2009/2010
14 November 2009 - Monaco (Away) - Cyprus won 5 - 44.
6 March 2010 - Azerbaijan (Home).
27 March 2010 - Bosnia Herzegovina (Home).
(Game against Slovakia cancelled due to withdrawal from Tournament).
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[edit] International Record
In nearly three years of international competition, Cyprus have managed to lose only one match, the promotion/relegation playoff away to Israel.
Cyprus are not a full member of the IRB, so none of their international matches count towards the IRB World Rankings.
[edit] Players
[edit] Current squad
Forwards
Christo Kasabi, Tony Thoma, Warren Deane, Philippos Kyriacou, Chris Thoma, Jonathan Pettemerides, Dervish Devron, Dinu Floredan, Panayiotis Jacovides, Vladlimiri Muhaylon, Dan McFarlane, Stephan Eleftheriou, Graeme Scott, Lawrence Vasiliades, Lawrence Macrides, Marco Mladenovic, George Theodoulou, AJ Pugh, Andrew Spring, Kyriakos Vatikiotis George Stylianou
Backs
Dimitri Maratheftis, Andrew Binikos, Constantine Markou, George Agathocteous, Dan Thrasivoulou, Marcus Holden, Adam Kyriacou, Panayiotis Loizidis, Panayiotis Ioulianou, Anthony Crassas, Colm O Cleirigh, Michaelis Maratheftis, Andreas Zacharia, Marc Thrasivoulou, Chris Christofi, Luke Peters, Kyle Oelofse, Fidias Efthymiou, Burhan Torgut
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Referee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24-3-2007 | Cyprus |
39 - 3 | Greece |
Paphos | Friendly
(First International) |
| 29-10-2007 | Cyprus |
29 - 0 |  Azerbaijan |
Paphos | ENC 2006/08 Division 3D |
| 31-10-2007 | Cyprus |
19 - 10 | Monaco |
Nicosia | ENC 2006/08 Division 3D |
| 3-11-2007 | Cyprus |
38 - 8 |  Slovakia |
Paphos | ENC 2006/08 Division 3D |
| 6-Sept-2008 | Israel |
23 - 14 | Cyprus |
Netanya | ENC 2006/08 Division 3C/3D Playoff |
| 29-Nov-2008 | Azerbaijan |
3 - 37 | Cyprus |
Baku | ENC 2008/10 Division 3D |
| 6-Dec-2008 | Cyprus |
24 - 3 | Monaco |
Episkopi | ENC 2008/10 Division 3D |
| 14-Mar-2009 | Cyprus |
33 - 7 | Slovakia |
Episkopi | ENC 2008/10 Division 3D |
| 21-Mar-2009 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina |
6 - 8 | Cyprus |
Zenica | ENC 2008/10 Division 3D |
| 14-Nov-2009 | Monaco |
5 - 44 | Cyprus |
Monaco | ENC 2008/10 Division 3D |
[edit] Squad for Monaco and beyond
- Caps Updated for Autumn International(s).
Head Coach: Paul Shanks
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Staff
Head Coach - Paul Shanks, Assistant Coach - Carlton Douglas, Team Manager - Theo Lenos, Physio - Janine Maratheftis, Sevens Coach - Mark Walboyff
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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