'It is beautiful how we have grown': Jongerius targets positive WXV campaign for Netherlands

“Physicality lover, hard-worker and total rugby enthusiast! That’s who Inger Jongerius is!”

If you are here to find out what type of player Inger Jongerius is, the Dutch utility forward can quickly sum it up. However, if you are looking to discover more about one of the biggest threats to the women’s Oranje side, then stick around as the FC Grenoble Amazones operator shares her story and thoughts in the following paragraphs.

So, let’s backtrack to 2008, the year that Jongerius first ventured into the world of rugby. After moving from Muiden to Purmerend at the age of 13, she was invited to try the sport by a friend.

“A friend of mine, Amber, invited me to try rugby, as her mum had played a bit before. I played football before, but I wasn’t really good at it; the only thing I could do properly was kick the ball down the field. I just wanted to enjoy a new sport, so I gave rugby a shot.”

While it looked like a shot in the dark, Jongerius ended up finding her new sporting home, as the physicality, the ability to run with the ball, and the community made her immediately fall in love with rugby.

“In rugby, I experienced growth and happiness every day,” the experienced lock said. “The whole culture behind the sport made me want to work even harder and give everything I had. And then there’s also an aspect that should be talked about more; the third half. That bit of the game that we can share stories, a meal and experiences makes rugby even more thrilling.”

As the years went by, Jongerius kept doing everything she could to help her club progress while developing herself as a player, all without having any intention of playing for the national team.

However, her destiny changed when she was invited to an open training session for the senior women’s national team.

“I went there and then everything changed for me,” Jongerius recalled. “After a couple of training sessions, the bug to play for the Netherlands nested deep within me. Then I earned my first cap against Sweden, in a game played in front of our supporters, and I was sold. I remember thinking ‘This is what I want!’.”

She landed two tries in her debut, showcasing surprisingly good handling skills for a forward pack player. Something that Jongerius says isn’t unique to her, as the Dutch rugby landscape pushes players to go beyond their limits.

“Even though rugby isn’t that big in the Netherlands, it is great to play there, as we push players from every position to learn more skills and go beyond what is expected from their position. We have to improvise a lot, so, for me, I had to refine my handling and offloading skills to keep the ball alive. The coaches always encouraged me to do it because of my height.”

And because of her ability to pass the ball well, throw a try-defining offload and the prowess to run with the ball, she eventually was linked with the chance to go abroad and joined Spanish club Eibar RT in 2020.

Although she loved the experience, Jongerius went back home one year later, as she was looking to finish her studies in clinical neuropsychology. But the rugby gods had deemed that she was worthy of a second shot. This time in France.

“Grenoble was looking to sign a utility forward, and they tried to hire Linde van der Velden first. But as she didn’t want to leave Exeter, she told Grenoble that I was available and that we had a similar profile. They called me, I sent a few videos and, finally, they sent a contract.”

Having finished her degree and master’s in clinical neuropsychology, she said yes and stepped into the world of France’s Élite in 2022.

 

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“I remember stepping into Grenoble’s facilities and being astounded by the resources and infrastructure that the club had at its disposal. From a state-of-the-art gym to a magnificent stadium, the club had everything for a player to flourish.”

While the language was indeed a tough barrier to overcome, Jongerius recalls how warm Grenoble’s embrace was.

“It was spectacular. The club sought to give us the best conditions to allow us to evolve as a team and as individuals. It was hard being far away from everything I knew, but the club’s programme, the beautiful landscape and the city made the experience go smoother.”

Featuring predominantly as a lock for the Amazones, Jongerius recorded a strong first season for the club, performing well as a lineout and scrum operative, while unleashing some beautiful passes and tries.

Unfortunately, she had to undergo hip surgery after the season ended, which resulted in an early end to her contract. However, Grenoble kept in touch.

“Grenoble were in touch with me and through my recovery. In 2025, they rang me again and sent me a new contract. How could I say no to the chance of playing for them again? Or to be involved in the Élite 1? I hopped back into the plane and went back to my second home.”

Jongerius was successful once again in her adventures abroad, clinching several games for Grenoble and helping the club fend off relegation. In her opinion going abroad was key to unlocking her full potential and is encouraging of other Dutch players to pursue the same challenge.

“Every year, more Dutch girls are looking to go abroad, which is important for our national team. Whether it’s going to France to play for an Élite 1 or 2 team, or even playing on reserve sides, it’s a good experience. The new generations of Dutch women players are keen to take risks, and that tells you everything you need to know about us.”

For Jongerius, moving to Grenoble wasn’t only about her, as she was looking for a way to help the Netherlands progress as a team, all in pursuit of reaching a first Women’s Rugby World Cup since 2002.

“We have a good opportunity to reach Australia 2029. We are building our squad and currently have a combination of very young, talented girls and a strong core group of experienced players who will do everything they can to unlock that dream. That’s why the WXV Global Series Challenger is going to be important for us.”

But before the Women’s Rugby World Cup race ensues, they have business to attend to in September when they are hosted by one of their all-time rivals, Hong Kong China in the WXV Global Series Challenger.

“It is a challenge that we are very excited about, as we are going to have the opportunity to play more Test matches,” the 30-year-old echoed.

“The team will be working together between June and August, getting properly ready for the competition. We are focused on delivering something big.”

The word ‘big’ being key to understanding Jongerius’s whole life with the oval sport, she remembers two pivotal moments fondly from her time as a member of the women’s Oranje.

“There were several great games, but I can pick my two favourite ones. My first cap against Sweden was special, as my whole family was there cheering for the team and I ended up scoring two tries. The second one was our victory against Colombia that qualified us for the 2024 WXV.”

She captained the team in their clash against the Tucanes and, while she admits being nervous, she never doubted that they weren’t going to come out on top in the end.

“For me it is not only one of my favourite games, but moments of my sporting life. The celebrations with our supporters and family while savouring the fact we were going to Dubai to play in the WXV. Unique.”

With another WXV experience edging closer, Jongerius is optimistic about her country’s chances of earning a place amongst the top 12 teams in the world, as the players, staff and clubs are working hard to get to that level.

“It is beautiful how we have grown. The progress that Dutch women’s rugby has made in the past few years is amazing. We’ve taken significant steps, and we are working to do even better. If we get more funding, if the game professionalises a bit, I believe we can inch closer to a World Cup qualification.”

But before we put an end to a conversation that had a bit of everything, Jongerius explains the reasoning behind the six words she chose to describe herself as a player.

“I love the contact and cherish the physical fight; I will always work for my team, no matter how big the challenge is; and I want to get better at keeping the ball alive, so we can keep playing fast-paced rugby.”