Ukraine to warm up for World Cup qualifiers with Czechia clash

Czechia are preparing for a senior men’s double of international ranking fixtures this weekend as they face Ukraine tomorrow (Friday) and Poland on Saturday, both at the City Stadium in Letohrad.

Czechia national team coach, Ladislav Cintler, said: “We will play two test matches in two days so we are going to rotate our players significantly. We are really happy with our squad depth and for game against Poland the squad will be younger. For some guys it’s their first game in the senior national team and they are highly motivated to show their talents.”

The match against Ukraine will serve as a warm up for the visitors as they make their way to France to play in the 2026 men’s RLWC qualifiers. To date Ukraine have won all of their three previous meetings with Czechia.

Cintler added: “We’re looking forward to test ourselves against strong Ukrainian team. A lot of our players competed in Balkans Super League this year and we hope the newly gained experiences will transfer to national team. We know how tough Ukrainian players can be and we expect very intense and skillful game. It’s the kind of Test matches we'd like to play regularly.”

“This is an exciting time for Ukraine Rugby League taking part in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers despite some challenging times due to the invasion,” noted Ukraine head coach, Dan Beardshaw. “We give our thanks to Czechia Rugby league for their hospitality and assistance, hosting us through our training camp and playing an official Test against us prior to our game against France five days later.” 

Czechia and Poland meet for the second time, with Czechia winning the previous encounter 36-28 at Majkowski Wembley. Poland head coach, Dean Reacher, commented: “We look forward to a competitive game. Our aim is to build upon our recent performance against Germany. Whilst we have some changes in personel, it gives someone else an opportunity to showcase their skills in our team.”

Misa Vakadranu (Fiji) will be the match official for both games, the first of which kicks off at 7.30pm local time and the second at 4pm.

CZECHIA SQUAD V UKRAINE:

Jakub Tichy, Jaroslav Novotny, Tomas Adamec (Slavia Hradec Kralove), Vaclav Vagner, Filip-Daniel Kittl, Daniel Vesely, Vit Studecky, Jakub Czermak (Krupka Dragons), Marek Tejchman, Jakub Hudrlik, David Belohlavek, Krystof Pecold, Jan Zamrsky, Dominik Radil, Matej Schejbal (Mad Squirels Vrchlabí), Oldrich Chrbolka, Tomas Ricica, Martin Hanc (Chrudim Rabbitohs), Josef Brynda (Barbarians Letohrad).

UKRAINE SQUAD:

Tim Knight (Caloundra Sharks), Daniel Janissen (Cardiff Cobras), Jonah Ngaronoa (Glebe Dirty Reds), Yevhen Checheta, Yaroslav Davydov, Yevhen Davydov, Volodymyr Karpenko, Vitalii Puchkov, Dmytro Semerenko, Oleksandr Shcherbyna, Oleksandr Skorbach, Oleksandr Syvykoz, Mykhailo Troian, Yevhenii Trusov (Kharkiv Legion XIII), Valentyn Korchak, Ostap Kozak (Lviv Tigers), Danylo Vedler (Rivne Giants), Tigris Polata (Southern Suburbs Magpies), Tom Mencinsky (Sydney University RLFC)

CZECHIA SQUAD V POLAND:

Vaclav Vagner, Daniel Vesely, Vít Studecky, Karel Lafant, Jakub Czermak (RLC Krupka Dragons) David Slivka, Kamil Havel, Krystof Henzl, Marek Henzl (RLC Orli Havlickuv Brod), Ladislav Cintler, Jakub Skorepa (RLC Slavia Hradec Kralove) Josef Brynda, Adam Mikulas (Barbarians Letohrad), Matej Schejbal, Jakub Hudrlik, Jan Zamrsky, Krystof Pecold, Dominik Radil, Marek Tejchman (Mad Squirels Vrchlabí)

POLAND SQUAD:

Dominik Medecki, Eryk WiSniewski, Lukasz Lucka (Niezrzeszeni), Jakub Cichosz, Jonathan Tutak, Kamil Kleszcz, Kamil Owoc, Mateusz Kowalewski, Mateusz LuczaK, Michał Karkus-Blada, Sergiusz Kalwinek, Tomasz Zerbe (KS Sroki Lodz), Konrad Szymanczak, Mateusz Wojtas (Wildcats Gora Kalwaria), Lukasz Kostecki, Mateusz Klosinski, Patryk Gabrys (Husaria Kalisz), Lukasz Wawrzyniak, Mateusz Dziag (Skierniewice Razorbacks)