Two of Europe’s most prolific playing nations at present, Czech Republic and Netherlands, have named their squads for the senior men’s international to be played tomorrow (Saturday) at Harta Rugby Club, Vrchlabí (kick off 2pm local time) for world ranking points.

It will be a third outing in as many months for the hosts after a 28-16 loss at home to Serbia in August and a 36-28 win away in Poland last month, while for the visitors the fixture will signal a fifth game in successive weeks after wins over Norway, Albania, Serbia and Germany.

The nations last met in Turkey in the Euro D Final in 2021, which the Netherlands won 36-10.

Czech Republic head coach, Petr Sedina, commented: “We look forward to meeting the Netherlands again. Last time we were overpowered by a strong display of solid defence and ruthless attack. The winning streak of Netherlands this season is very impressive but we intend to put them to the test in Vrchlabí, it will be very entertaining game, I’m sure.”

Zwolle Wolves’ Dimitri Haringa and Bert Kuijpers could make their debuts for the Netherlands, which could see the three Kuijpers brothers line up together for the national side for the first time.

“We’re really looking forward to playing our final match of the year,” said Netherlands head coach, Dave Hunter. “We are well aware of how strong they will be at home, and we’ll have to be at our best if we want a result. The guys have been training well and we’ll be hoping to end our impressive international season on a positive note.”

CZECH REPUBLIC SQUAD
Roman Richtr (Barbarians Letohrad), Oldrich Chrbolka, Ondrej Preininger, Tomas Ricica (Chrudim Rabbitohs), Antonin Berk, Daniel Vesely, Vit Studecky (Krupka Dragons), David Belohlavek, Dominik Fiser, Jakub Hudrlík, Jan Hovard, Jan Kubat, Krystof Pecold, Tomas Brejtr, Tomas Kasik (Mad Squirrels Vrchlabí), Erik Schulz, Jaroslav Novotny,  Jakub Tichy, Tomas Adamec (Slavia Hradec Kralove)

NETHERLANDS SQUAD 
James Adams, William Johnston, Daan van Rossum (Amsterdam Cobras), Tom van der Bokhoven (Cromer Kingfishers), Frank Longhurst, Maas van der Reek, Bonne Wilce (Den Haag Knights), Harry Mulligan (The Entrance Tigers), Mitch Donnelly (Narrabeen Sharks), Shadan Lavia, Tom Turnock (Rotterdam Pitbulls), Mauricio Gomez Pazos, Dimitri Haringa Bert Kuijpers, Kees Kuijpers, Paul Kuijpers, Mike Prins, Laury Renac, Rowan Schuiling (Zwolle Wolves)