These are exciting times for the Malta Rugby Football Union.
Earlier this month, government announced its plans on a new Sports Village in St Andrew's. The White Rocks multi-sport project will feature two rugby pitches in a state-of-the-art complex.
Finally, it seems, the long MRFU wait to have its own home ground after several years of discussion is over.
More positive news followed for the local rugby fraternity yesterday after David Carrigy, International Rugby Board (IRB) Head of External and Member Relations, told The Times that the world governing body was ready to assist with expert advice in the rugby ground project.
Carrigy is currently in Malta to attend the Ordinary General Assembly of the Association of European Rugby (FIRA/AER) at the Corinthia San Gorg, St Julians.
The meeting has attracted around 70 delegates from 43 European Unions and is being chaired by FIRA president Jean-Claude Baque.
For Carrigy, this is his second visit to Malta.
Back in 2003 he was here to review rugby facilities here. He had held various discussions with the MRFU, including incentives over a proposed rugby ground at Marsa.
During that visit, Carrigy had informed the MRFU that the IRB was ready to fork out some £50,000 for the project. Those funds, however, were never used as the project failed to materialise.
Seven years on and Carrigy again reiterated the IRB stance that the construction of a rugby ground was crucial for the future of the sport on the islands. He augured that the proposed plans at St Andrew's will be realised in the projected time.
"They've told me about the sports complex in St Andrew's. Now, we expect this project to be completed in time for the MRFU to have its own home ground," Carrigy said.
"The MRFU has come a long way and we must see that rugby continues to flourish. The Maltese have done remarkably well in the last few years. Despite having limited resources they still managed to achieve outstanding results at home and abroad.
"Unfortunately, the IRB no longer provides grants for the construction of new stadiums. However, we can assist in a different way.
"I'm meeting some top people during my stay here. If our advice is needed, the IRB will be willing to send expert personnel to make sure the new stadium will be up to international standard."
Carrigy added the IRB was positively surprised by the work carried out by the MRFU in recent years.
"We're talking about a small union but they've done remarkably well," Carrigy, of Ireland, said.
"Rugby has grown considerably since my last visit to Malta. Apart from the national team, they're doing a tremendous job at grassroot levels and now the Maltese have a solid base of young players who are enjoying their rugby."
Meanwhile, the AER/FIRA Ordinary Congress got underway yesterday with the first session which also featured speeches from Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Clyde Puli and MRFU honorary president Louis Farrugia.
During the two-day meeting, delegates will discuss various issues, the most important of which is the calendar of competitions for season 2010/11.
Also on the agenda is a new qualifying series for the 2015 World Cup and the organisation of an U-18 tournament.