Netherlands Rise to World No.9 and No.2 in Europe

The Netherlands have reached a major milestone in their international Rugby League journey, climbing to ninth in the world and becoming the second-highest ranked European nation.

The latest international rankings place Oranje inside the world's Top 10, with only England ranked higher among European nations.

The Netherlands now sit immediately ahead of Ukraine, France and Serbia, who occupy 10th, 11th and 12th positions respectively.

For everyone involved in Nederlandse Rugby League, it represents a moment to be proud of — and further evidence of the progress made by the game in recent years.

World No.9. | Europe No.2.

Breaking into the world's Top 10 places the Netherlands amongst some of the leading Rugby League nations in the international game.

It is an achievement built upon the efforts of players who have proudly represented Oranje, alongside the coaches, volunteers, domestic clubs, administrators and supporters who continue to drive Rugby League forward in the Netherlands.

NRLB CEO Daan van Rossum said:

"To see the Netherlands ranked ninth in the world and second in Europe is a fantastic achievement for Dutch Rugby League and something everyone involved in the game should take enormous pride in.

"This has been earned by the players who have pulled on the Oranje jersey, by our coaches and staff, and by the clubs and volunteers who continue to work incredibly hard to grow Rugby League across the Netherlands.

"But we also see this as the beginning of something rather than the end. Being ranked amongst the world's Top 10 gives us a platform and an opportunity. Our challenge now is to continue growing the game underneath our national team and create even more opportunities for people to become involved in Rugby League."

A platform to build from

The ranking comes at an exciting time for the sport in the Netherlands.

The NRLB continues to work towards expanding participation, strengthening its domestic clubs and creating more opportunities for players to progress from the grassroots game into the international environment.

There is also significant potential to develop new opportunities across men's, women's, youth and Wheelchair Rugby League in the years ahead.

The latest rankings demonstrate just how competitive the European international game is becoming.

With the Netherlands ninth in the world, followed immediately by Ukraine, France and Serbia, there is an increasingly strong group of European nations competing for position on the international stage.

For the Netherlands, the ambition is clear.

We want to build upon this achievement, grow Rugby League throughout the country and ensure that future generations of Dutch players have the opportunity to represent a nation capable of competing at the highest possible level.

The Netherlands are World No.9.

The Netherlands are No.2 in Europe.

And Dutch Rugby League is determined to keep moving forward.