HE HAS ENCOUNTERED disappointment among the many highlights, but 22-year-old Josh van der Flier has been having an enjoyable time of it in his second season as a senior professional player.
Capped by Ireland twice during the Six Nations, before being omitted for the final-round win over Scotland, van der Flier has largely seized every opportunity he’s been handed in this campaign.
His latest outing for Leinster saw him collect the man-of-the-match award after a 30-23 victory for Leo Cullen’s men against Edinburgh at the RDS on Friday night.
Van der Flier scored a try, made a further nine carries for a healthy return of more than 60 metres, hit rucks willingly and led the Leinster tackle count with 17. His work rate has been immense all season and, given that he is still learning, the future is bright for van der Flier.
Pretty much every game and every day I’m pinching myself,” said van der Flier after his excellent display. “I’m just loving every minute of it and this season’s been incredible for me.”
Van der Flier was delighted that Leinster picked up five points on Friday, while also expressing disappointment at their defensive performance. Conceding three tries in the second half was not on the agenda, particularly given that their Kurt McQuilkin-driven defence has been a strength this season.
Leinster’s attack, however, flourished in the second half, as four tries of their own after the break ensured that the frustration of a first half that saw them lead by just 6-3 was eradicated.
“I think we were a bit slow getting into the rucks and they were getting a lot of turnovers,” said Wesley College alumnus van der Flier.
“They seemed to have targeted our ruck, but it was one of the things we said we needed to sort out at half time, our ruck, try and get there quicker, hit them harder, get them off our ball. That was probably what we saw in the second half, focusing on that.”
Van der Flier’s standing has improved with his latest outstanding display, but the possible return of Sean O’Brien in the coming weeks means his position at openside will be under threat.
Even if he is to miss out to the more experienced man for the closing games of the season, van der Flier can reflect on a superb breakthrough season with Leinster. The prospect of involvement in Ireland’s tour to South Africa will continue to drive van der Flier.
Though he is not in the mood for reflection just yet, when he’s pushed to ponder it van der Flier says a strong pre-season and the influence of a few key figures has helped him to emerge for Leinster and, more recently, Ireland.
“I think I worked pretty hard throughout the summer and the pre-season. At this point last season, I was just beginning my time out injured and I was injured pretty much until the end of pre-season. I’ve worked hard on a good few bits of my game, managed to get those opportunities in the early part of the year and it’s been surreal from then on.
I had a good chat with Shane Jennings at the start of the season. I met up with him during the World Cup period and he just kind of talked me through what he used to do. He’d be a lot better professional that me and I learned an awful lot from him.
“Then seeing people like Johnny Sexton, Jamie Heaslip, all those lads, you can see with all the players that play well that they put the preparation in. I’m learning from all the players around me.”
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