Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mark van Bommel were the big-name absentees from Marco van Basten's Dutch squad for the upcoming friendly with Republic of Ireland.

Van Basten will take an 18-man party to Dublin, with Spain-based pair van Nistelrooy and van Bommel the major casualties from the World Cup.

Ajax starlet Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has been handed a spot up front in place of Real Madrid new boy van Nistelrooy, while Barcelona star van Bommel has been usurped by AZ Alkmaar's Stijn Schaars.

PSV Eindhoven defender Andre Ooijer has been handed a place in the squad despite missing training with his club this week due to a bout of sickness.

Ooijer is in dispute with his club over a proposed move to Blackburn and did not report for training, but this has not prevented van Basten from selecting the defender.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Henk Timmer (Feyenoord), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)

Defenders: Urby Emanuelson (Ajax), John Heitinga (Ajax), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven)

Midfielders: Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Nigel de Jong (Hamburg), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg), Denny Landzaat (Wigan Athletic)

Forwards: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Chelsea), Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven)

What are your thoughts/opinions on RVN being dropped?

I think it a shame, cause ruud can make a difference
I still dont understand why van Basten (during the WC) decided to let ruud sit on the bench and bring vennegoor in (at least I think it was vennegoor)

If there is one player who cant make a difference it's vennegoor... If he had put ruud in we maybe would still have had a chance...

Anyway, from the current selection I would lose:

- the whole deffence

- midfield: Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar)

- forward: kuyt, vennegoor

there are enough players who can and will do better then them when selected for the national squad

I will be interested too see what Klaas-Jan Huntelaar can do on the International stage.

Well he saved our ass again wednesday, so he prob will manage.

No one here understands why van basten didn't select him for the WC, even less when he had a great part in the title for the young orange squad

Yes it was crazy, i think he would have gave you more penetration upfront during the WC.

I'm not a big Vennegoor of Hesselink fan, but van basten said he was included on the squad because of his hieght and being good in the air. If you go back and watch the Holland's final game of the World Cup you'll see he was brought in and headed a few balls dangerous in the box that nobody was able to capatalize on. I still think Ruud has some gas left in the tank, but this is Marco's squad now and he's picking and choosing his players as he sits fit, I'd find it difficult to argue with his record and I commend him on the 'changing of the guard', that is out wilt the old and in with the new. Klinsmann did much the same the Gernam side, but I think he had a bit more experiencew at some key positions. Finally, if Ruud starts knocking them in with Man U. I think it would be difficult to keep him off the squad.......

You mean Real Madrid!

I dont think kuyt is anywhere near as good as van nisterooy so i would have him in the squad, hes a great finisher

I agree with you.Nistelrooy should be in the team. Though the strikeforce looks nice even without him. My starting attack: Robben--Huntelaar--Persie

It's over for him now...

ruud can score but he not a good spits. i think they did the right thing.

I agree. Ruud has been a very good goalscorer but it's time to move forwards. Kuyt, van Persie, Huntelaar + Robben are the future of our attack.