Senior International Matches (Women)

Sat 4th October 2025   - KO  14:00 - Rugby Club The Bassetts, Sassenheim , Netherlands
Official: Moray Gilland (Scotland)

Netherlands

6

FT

42

Half Time
6 - 28

Ireland

Tries

Kaylee Geerlings (30)

Stephanie Carroll (38,42)
Molly Young (1)
Cliodhna O'Sullivan (24)
Storm Cobain (68)
Iona McCusker (9,34)

Goals

Tessa Van Zanten (1/1)

Storm Cobain (5/8)

Match Preview: Netherlands and Ireland name squads as Ireland look towards World Series

Ireland’s women begin their preparations for the IRL World Series in Canada when they face Netherlands at RC The Bassetts in Sassenheim on Saturday 4 October (kick off 2pm local time). It will be the first game in a doubleheader of senior internationals for world ranking points, with the men’s sides taking to the field at 4.30pm.

The women’s game will be the second time the nations have met, having faced each other in Dublin in June 2024 in a World Cup Qulaifier, the Irish winning 16-12 in a thriller. Banbridge Bronco Katie-Anne McCallion and Galway’s Lena Kibler will debut for the Irish, while Storm Cobain continues her run of have played every game since the inception of the women’s team. Stephanie Carroll returns having been playing away in Australia.

Ireland women’s head coach, Matt Kennerson, commented: “We’re looking forward to another opportunity to take on The Netherlands after such a close contest last time. This is a valuable chance to push ourselves, grow as a team and gain crucial experience before the World Series in Toronto in three weeks’ time. Every challenge brings us closer to where we want to be.”

Netherlands could have five debutants in Eva Aerts, Laura De Vroe, Noa De Wit, Fiona Kalf and Eline Zomer. Co-head coach, Matt Rigby, is expecting another tight clash between the nations. “Almost 16-months since our last fixture, we're delighted to be back with the first of two internationals this autumn.

“Our game in Dublin last year is still on the minds of a lot of us, and we're keen to have another crack at Ireland, they are a well drilled side and have a number of players playing at a good level, so we know the challenge ahead of us. Playing a double header marks an exciting opportunity and showcases Netherlands’ commitment to the game."

Netherlands Women

Laura de Vroe (Illingworth RLFC), Arjanne van de Kieft, Eva Peroti, Fleur Michiels, Hiske Blom, Kaylee Geerlings, Sylvie Moelee, Vera van der Zwan (Rochdale Hornets), Anniek Nauta, Dana Burik, Danique Nikkels, Dunja Witmond, Eline Zomer, Eva Aerts, Fiona Kalf, Monischa Hieroms, Nicky Dix, Noa de Wit, Rixt Aerts (unattached)

Ireland Women

Katie-Anne McCallion (Banbridge Broncos), Molly Boyne, Aimee Clarke, Niamh Griffin, Emma Kelly, Lena Kibler, Orlaith McAuliffe, Caoimhe Molloy, Cliodhna O'Sullivan, Anna Potterton (Dublin City Exiles), Stacy Hanley, Aifric Ní Ghibne (Galway Tribes), Storm Cobain, Mollie Young (Leigh Leopards), Iona McCusker, Polly Roberts, Jade Walker (London Broncos), Amelia Newton (Swinton Lions), Stephaine Carroll (Sydney Mounties), Becky Webb (Widnes Vikings)

3 October 2025
1 Hiske Blom
Full Back
Aimee Clarke 1
2 Tessa Van Zanten
Right Wing
Lena Kibler 2
3 Monischa Hiermons
Right Centre
Stephanie Carroll 3
4 Dana Burik
Left Centre
Molly Young 4
5 Danique Nikkels
Left Wing
Cliodhna O'Sullivan 5
6 Nicky Dix
Stand Off
Emma Kelly 6
7 Rixt Aerts
Scrum Half
Jade Walker 7
8 Fiona Kalf
Prop
Aifric Ni Ghibine 8
9 Vera Van Der Zwan
Hooker
Niamh Griffin 9
10 Eva Peroti
Prop
Stacy Hanley 10
11 Anniek Nauta
Second Row
Storm Cobain 11
12 Sylvie Moelee
Second Row
Anna Potterton 12
13 Kaylee Geerlings
Loose Forward
Iona McCusker 13
14 Fleur Michiels
Int 1
Polly Roberts 14
15 Dominique Velema-Verheul
Int 2
Molly Boyne 15
16 Eva Aerts
Int 3
Becky Webb 16
17 Eline Zomer
Int 4
Katie Anne McCallion 17
18 Laura De Vroe
Reserve 1
Amelia Newton 18
Match Report: Netherlands lose out to Ireland Women 6-42 in Sassenheim

Ireland’s men and women were both convincing winners in senior internationals against Netherlands, played at RC The Bassetts in Sassenheim. Ireland’s women, preparing for the IRL Women’s World Series in Canada, scored eight tries in a 42-6 triumph, their men equally dominant, winning 30-0.

Kick off was slightly delayed due to a late incoming flight with several of the Irish players on board, and the games were played in blustery and heavy rain conditions due to Storm Amy. Molly Young opened Ireland’s account after strong runs from Iona McCusker and Stacy Hanley, Storm Cobain adding the extras.

McCusker burrowed her way over from dummy half as Ireland camped out on the Dutch line, and Cliodhna O’Sullivan just managed to ground the ball in goal on the left to push Ireland further ahead.

Netherlands got off the mark when Kaylee Geerlings barged her way through the middle, Tessa Van Zanten adding the extras, but Ireland were back on the board with the second of McCusker’s tries. Stephanie Carroll posted touchdowns two minutes before and then after half time, and Ireland finished strongly with Cobain adding a try to go with her five goals and Hanley crowning a strong performance with a deserved score.

Ireland women’s head coach, Matt Kennerson, commented: “I’m really happy, we’ve spent some time together recently and trained really hard and we looked like a team. The return of Stephanie Carroll settled us and Iona McCusker impressed but there were a number of great performances, it was a really good team effort. We set a tone early and this is a huge part of our preparation for the World Series. They’ll be a lot of video analysis before we face Nigeria and it’ll be an exciting two weeks, the girls can’t wait.”

Opposite number, Matt Rigby, said: “Credit to our girls today who battled hard in a physical game against a strong Ireland side. Playing against a much more experienced opposition was telling, but our girls didn’t step back. It was really good to see five debutants in a full-domestic squad who represented us well. Next up for us is Greece in Rotterdam in December, and we’ll need to be at our best to compete with them.”

4 October 2025