Rugby union in the Netherlands

The subsequent German occupation and World War II disrupted its growth, and it took years for the Dutch game to return to its pre-war state.

Then in the post-war years, the massive growth and stifling influence of Dutch association football on other sports also hindered further development.

Nonetheless, the Netherlands' proximity to the European rugby heartland of the British Isles and France, has ensured a fairly healthy stream of touring sides from these areas.

In the 1978–79 season, the Dutch leagues were affected by a severe winter, which prevented teams from playing on grass rugby pitches.

[4] In 1988, Marcel Bierman, a fly half, broke his neck in the Hong Kong Sevens, and this gave the sport a bad image in the Netherlands at the time.