Van der Velden starts for Netherlands

By Mark Stevens
26/2/21

Exeter Chiefs Women’s captain Linde van der Velden will lead her side into Rugby Europe Championship action against Spain on Saturday.

The 26-year-old back-row forward has been in sparkling club form for the Chiefs this season - and now she aims to lead from the front for her country this weekend.

It’s a huge fixture for both sides with Rugby World Cup qualification on the line, but Netherlands head coach Sylke Haverkorn is relishing the clash with Las Leonas, who last weekend brushed aside the attentions of Russia 56-7.

“Due to all the corona measures taken last year, we’ve had to be creative and flexible in the preparations,” says Haverkorn. “It has been a time of several challenges: setting up and running a strong Covid-19 policy, cancelling training because of riots on the streets, and snowy fields. “Ultimately, this has brought us closer together. Due to the failure of club rugby, we were able to train more with the squad, and fully focus on guiding and training our national teams.”

Assistant coach Pien Selbeck added: “After not playing games for a year and with only a few games played last season, it is always difficult to measure what you have to work on. With this competition the ladies gather international competition experience and that is very important for the development of the Dutch team. ”

NETHERLANDS SIDE TO FACE SPAIN

15 Not Donkersloot
14 Mireille Nieuwenhuis
13 Hiske Blom
12 Quen Makkinga
11 Lieve Stallman
10 Jordan Heil
9 Marit Lemmens
1 Irene Jansen
2 Kendra Jonas
3 Nicky Dix
4 Judith Frinking
5 Inger Jongerius
6 Robin Zulderhoek
7 Liza de Wild
8 Linde van der Velden (capt)

16 Jara Bunnik
17 Julia Morauw
18 Merel van Kampen
19 Michaja van Capel
20 Tamara Stock
21 Dido Denier van der Gon
22 Kim Dekker
23 Flore Voogd