He's the dual-code British rugby prop that has created a stir on the Maltese Islands since his arrival.

Signing last month with local club Malta Origin RL, the 120 kilogram man mountain Gareth Barron will debut in his side's crunch match against Gozo RL this Saturday at Melita FC.

Gozo RL and Malta Origin RL have met twice this season, with Gozo fairing better thanks to the 66-36 upset in their last meeting. Malta Origin RL took the spoils 28-22 in a tight round two affair before the summer.

The winner of this weekend's fifth round duel will qualify for the MRL Dove Men+Care Championship Final the following week.

Standing at six-foot-five, 31-year-old Barron isn't out to give quotes or make promises, bar one, "I've got one job to do and one job only". That job is to lead Malta Origin RL to a championship title win on October 19.Barron's signing to the Maltese club was thanks to a number of local partners, largely Hilton Malta's LivingWell Health Club.

Sliema RL will be interested onlookers, they are undefeated in 18-months of top flight Maltese rugby and are looking to retain and go back to back with another MRL premiership. Birkirkara RL, ruled themselves out of finals contention last month when the club disbanded.

MRL Dove Men+Care Championship Standings: Sliema RL 6, Malta Origin RL 4, Birkirkara RL 2*, Gozo RL 2.