Netherlands host the second of their home men’s senior internationals for world ranking points this weekend, as they welcome Ireland to Zaandijk Rugby Club in Zaandam on Saturday 21 October, (kick off 2pm local time).
The Oranje will be aiming to build on their 34-26 win over Scotland last weekend with Netherlands men’s head coach Dave Hunter making four changes to his squad, Max van der Stroom and Pieter Kluvers (Zwolle Wolves), Sandile Khumalo (Amsterdam Cobras) and Luke Van Bokhoven (Narrabeen Sharks) coming into the 19, replacing Indi Snabilie, Tom Van Bokhoven, Maurits Thomson and Mike Prins.
“We picked up a few bumps and bruises from last weekend’s match, so we've had to bring in four potential debutantes,” said Hunter. “We can't turn over the ball like we did against Scotland. We're going to need to improve in all areas if we're to compete against a quality side like Ireland. However, the boys are focused and if we stick together and work hard for each other, at the very least we'll be competitive.”
Ireland will hand senior international debuts to the entire squad which is made up of players plying their trade in the Irish and English community game, together with those from professional club academy programmes, and marks the Wolfhounds first men’s game since the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
Ireland head coach, Wayne Kerr, commented: “This is a massive opportunity for all the players involved. All their hard work has paid off and they deserve to achieve their full cap. They have come through our pathways programme which was set up by Ged Corcoran and has been running since the end of the last World Cup. All have played at either U16’s, 19’s, students or for Ireland A so it proves the programme is working well.”
NETHERLANDS SQUAD
James Adams, Sandile Khumalo, Hidde van der Berg, (Amsterdam Cobras), Bonne Wilce, Kees Kuijpers, Kevin Ebing, Mavi Gevers (Brabant Bears), Tom van Bokhoven (Cromer Kingfishers), Maas van der Reek (Den Haag Knights), Daniel de Ruiter (Harderwijk Dolphins), Luke van Bokhoven, Mitch Donnelly (Narrabean Sharks), Tom Turnock, Edson Neves (Rotterdam Pitbulls), Damon Koolstra (West Tigers Mackay), Dimitri Haringa, Max van der Stroom, Paul Kuijpers, Pieter Kluvers (Zwolle Wolves)
IRELAND SQUAD
Jo McConnell (Banbridge Broncos) Conlan Mawson, Jamie Gill (Bradford Bulls) Patrick Stapleton, Ryan Hogg (Dublin City Exiles) Jake Connell (Haresfinch RLFC) Tom Ashurst (Hindley Stags) Oliver Whitford (Huddersfield Giants) Jake Parkes, James Farrar (Hull KR) Sam Winney (London Broncos) Adam Quinn, Liam Coyne (Longhorns) Daniel Coop (Rochdale Mayfield) Euan Haynes (Salford City Roosters) Ellis Keppel (Thatto Heath) Stephen Cahill (Tullamore) Liam O’Callaghan (West Warriors)