EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP: Bottom of the Table Clash in Division 1B

27.11.2010
Germany v Netherlands in Amsterdam (ENC 1B)

Venue: National Rugby Centre

Referee: S.Marrama (Italy)

Preview
Both these teams are at the bottom of the points table in this competition. Both suffered losses last weekend; Netherlands 13-25 to Czech Republic, and Germany a shock 17-22 loss to Poland. Whilst the relegation decisions won't be made until next season both teams will want to steer their side away from the bottom of the table.

Germany has made a number of changes to the side that lost to Poland last weekend. Notably, former captain Jens Schmidt returns to the side to bolster the scrum.

Veteran Schmidt returns to the German side. Image thanks to www.rugby-journal.de

Can't comment on the Dutch side as the team list is not available. My understanding is that they will stick with the squad that lost to Czech Republic. This is a young team as the focus is on rebuilding the side.

Last Five Encounters
26.04.2008 Germany 27-17 in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)
28.04.2007 Germany 21-12 in Hanover (ENC 2A)
10.04.2004 Germany 14-13 in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)
09.03.2003 Germany 15-3 in Hanover (ENC 2A)
28.03.1998 Netherlands 38-24 in Amsterdam (Friendly)

These two nations have a long international test rugby history. They played their first game back in December 1933, Germany winning 23-0.

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Germany 24th, Netherlands 26th
Europe Table-Germany 13th, Netherlands 21st

IRB Ranking Points
Netherlands 51.67, Germany 51.56

Prediction: Germany by 3 points.

Teams

Germany Squad
Kehoma Brenner (Heidelberger RK)
Fabian Heimpel (RG Heidelberg)
Sam Henderson (SC Frankfurt 1880)
Alexander Hug (TSV Handschuhsheim)
Pieter Jordaan (Heidelberger RK)
Nico Kanning (AC Bobigny, France)
Tim Kasten (Heidelberger RK)
James Keinhorst (Moseley RFC, England)
Benjamin Krause (DSV Hannover 78)
Steffen Liebig (Heidelberger RK)
Tim Menzel (US Colomiers, France)
Gilles Pagnon (RC Carqueiranne-Hyéres, France)
Michael Poppmeier (Rugby Catania, Italy)
Rafael Pyrasch (Heidelberger RK)
Patrick Schliwa (Heidelberger RK)
Jens Schmidt (TSV Handschuhsheim)
Benjamin Simm (DSV Hannover 78)
Marten Strauch (SC Neuenheim)
Clemens von Grumbkow (I Cavalieri Prato, Italy)
Sven-Uwe Wetzel (TSV Handschuhsheim)
Alexander Widiker (Heidelberger RK)
Arthur Zeiler (Heidelberger RK)
Head Coach: Torsten Schippe

On Standby: Alexander Biskupek (Heidelberger RK), Lukas Hinds-Johnson (RK 03 Berlin)

http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/drv_xv_kader_fuer_spiel_in_amsterdam/

Netherlands Squad not yet available