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15th Dec 2015

Ireland bulk up Euro 2016 preparations by scheduling another big-time friendly

Dutch gold

Gareth Makim

Probably the biggest test we could have in the run-up to the Euro 2016 finals.

The FAI has lined up yet another huge friendly to help Martin O’Neill figure out his options for Ireland’s squad for the tournament in France, with the announcement that the Netherlands will be coming to Dublin on May 27.

The game comes just four days before the deadline for O’Neill to name his final 23 players for the finals so will be the last opportunity for fringe prospects to impress.

Ireland, who will play Switzerland and Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium in March, could yet add another warm-up fixture before getting their campaign under way against Sweden on June 13 in Paris.

The Dutch are the highest profile team not to qualify for the finals having had a disastrous qualifying campaign under manager Danny Blind, but still boast top class players such as Memphis Depay, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben.

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Topics:

Euro 2016