New Dutch coach, and other news

The NRB have annouced a replacement for Chris Lane to lead the Dutch women's teams campaigns to qualify for the 15s and 7s World Cups, and return to the World Series. Also news from the leagues in the Netherlands and Spain, and of a successful tour to England by Germany's SC Neuenheim.

Published by John Birch, February 25th, 2016

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New Dutch coach, and other news

Netherlands appoint new Head of Performance

Sascha Werlich has been appointed as the new "head of performance” for both Dutch 7s and 15s programmes, and will work closely with former women’s coach Gareth Gilbert, who is now technical director for the men.

"Sascha is the most qualified coach in Rugby Netherlands,” said Gareth, “and we are very confident and excited about her working here in her new role. She has a lot of experience and developed herself by traveling around the world and attending various high performance courses in South Africa, New Zealand and Colombia. We believe she is the right person to rebuild women's rugby and get us back to where we belong. I look forward to working closely with her."

"It's great to be with a group of athletes who want to get the best out of themselves, working hard every day.” said Sasha. “In my view, the Dutch team have not achieved their full potential at times, and that is something we will strive for. If everyone knows how to get the best out of themselves the right results will come."

Meanwhile the Dutch Kampioenspoule resumed at the end of January with three teams – Utrecht RC and RUS (also from Utrecht), and AAC from Amsterdam. Both of the Utrecht clubs were unbeaten , but since the resumption Utrecht have lost 17-14 at home to AAC, and then 22-0 (also at home) to RUS, who now top the league by five points from AAC, and eight points from Utrecht. RUS and AAC meet this weekend.

INEF Barcelona leading Spain’s Division de Honor

INEF Barcelona have gone clear at the top of Spain’s national Divisions de Honor, which kicked off at the start of January. Both they and C.R. Majadahonda were unbeaten going into last weekend’s clash in Barcelona, where the boot of Carlota Meliz was the difference between the sides, both teams scoring three tries but INEF taking the game 21-17.

The top four in the eight team league qualify for play-offs next month, and with two rounds to go XV Sanse Scrum and Olympico Pozuelo lie third and fourth, but only four points ahead of Getxo Arlea and CRAT Uni. da Coruña.

German club’s unbeaten tour to England

Leading German club Sportclub Neuenheim recently returned unbeaten from a tour to England after wins over Bath (8-0) and the Supermarine RFC from Swindon (48-10), both from the National 2 South West

The first game – played under the lights on artificial turf on a Friday evening - was a very close affair, with no score until late in the game before a try from Steffi Gruber with 10 minutes to go, followed by a penalty just before the whistle.

The team then travelled to Swindon where they played Supermarine in pouring rain. The home team’s forwards initially appeared to take control before the German visitors battled back, taking the lead after quarter of an hour. Seven more tries were added as the visitors took control, eventually running out 48-10 victors.

The German league resumes at the end of the month when Neuenheim, currently in second place in the Frauenbundesliga, take on St Pauli.

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