AMIDST THE DISAPPOINTMENT at Jared Payne not being shifted to fullback and Stuart McCloskey missing out altogether, the fact that Josh van der Flier held his starting place for Ireland’s clash with Italy was somewhat overlooked last week.
The 22-year-old now appears almost certain to win cap number three against Scotland on Saturday in Dublin, and the Leinster man already looks like he has been part of the set-up for an age.
Having taken his time to build into a solid debut against England in Twickenham, van der Flier stood out more against the Italians.
His ball carrying was very effective, as he showed that useful trait of running onto the ball at speed and then adding another burst of acceleration as he neared the contact, often taking the tackler by surprise.
Van der Flier’s work rate was evident in a defensive performance that included 15 tackles, while his intelligence around the ruck was on display again. It’s easy to see how the openside has won Schmidt over so quickly.
“Nothing has surprised me with Josh,” said Ireland vice captain Jamie Heaslip of the 22-year-old. “He is an unbelievably good pro. He goes about his work very quietly and he’s a lovely guy off the field.
“I’m always slagging him that he’s going around with his notepad, taking notes all the time; he knows his job inside out. That’s what we ask people to do when they come into this squad first – to fit in first and then perform.
“Fit into the system, the way we’re playing, the moves, the calling system… and the guy hasn’t missed a step. That’s why he’s here.”
Van der Flier is in just his second season of senior rugby, but his physical readiness means that despite the inexperience both Leo Cullen at Leinster and Schmidt with Ireland have no qualms about sending him into action.
This year he has shown what he’s about really, his work ethic, his skill, his relentlessness, just being a really good pro and going about his business,” said Heaslip at Carton House today.
“Transitioning to Ireland camp really well, he was on top of his work and knew exactly what he had to do. You never have to worry about him in terms of game knowledge or hold him by the hand, anything like that.
“He’s grown in each game and it was typified in his performance against France [sic]. I thought he was one of the standout players. He’s grown each day, he’s learning each day, even though he looks about 12 years old. He’s great to have around and a pleasure to play with.”
Next on the agenda for van der Flier and Heaslip is negotiating their final-round clash with the Scots in Dublin on Saturday. Vern Cotter’s men come into this meeting on the back of wins against Italy and France, and have been playing some scintillating attacking rugby.
Ireland’s most recent Six Nations experience against Scotland was last season’s title-clinching dismantling of them in Murrayfield, but the expectation is of an altogether tougher tie this time around.
You see them over the last 18 months and they just get better and better and better,” said Heaslip. “They’ve really impressed me over the last 18 months the way they’ve been going. They got their just rewards at the weekend, I think they’ve been unlucky in previous weeks and in previous competitions.
“They’re playing a very wide, expansive game and they’ve got a backline to do that and a mobile pack that allows them to do it.
“They can get around the field and they’ve got ball carriers when they need to tighten up. A very smart team, abrasive and tough opponents.”
- Reporting by Sean Farrell.
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He was well able to handle himself opposite Steffon Armitage & Francois Louw in the Champions Cup, one of few Leinster players to make an impression.
I just don’t see what he brings to the team or squad that o Donnell doesn’t . Must be an age thing so! Very harsh on tommy!
I would almost agree with you, only to ask, what does Tommy bring that JVdF doesn’t? TOD only lost the shirts through injury (and had he stayed on, I think we’d have beaten Wales), but why wouldn’t you keep playing the incumbent who’s playing well?
You’re probably right, being 22 probably does work in his favor a bit. Personally I think we could use a guy like that as a permanent presence the way O’Connell had been. Long way to go obviously before he achieves that status, but you have to play him to find out.
Maybe I could tell you about how he is better at making yards than O’Donnell (look at how he made 7-8 yards with almost every carry in the tight, always finding a week shoulder and running the perfect line), maybe I could tell you about his ability to make a difference in big games under pressure without panicking (his try away v Bath, his try not awarded v England, or his ability and coolness to offload in England 22 to Dillane whereas others might have just fallen down after the tackle), or I could tell you how he is better over the ball than O’Donnell (granted, evidenced more for Leinster but it will come). Or that he is more skilful. Or has bucketloads more potential.
But, I think no matter what I or anyone else says, you will see this through red glasses.
This might be hard for you to digest – I’m from Cork.
Lololol
Munster Fan from Dublin Paul?
So much promise: he is in his first year with Leinster as a senior player, has only played 20 times for the province, yet he looks comfortable and capable in both European Cup and the 6N already.
Would love to see Jack O Donoghue on the bench for this game. Great young player and with the likes of Sean o brien and Peter O Mahony to come back into mix now is as good a time as ever. I personally think he’s a better player than Ruddock as JOD is a great runner and has a very good ground game. He also covers 6,7,8 and Joe likes his versatility.
Reported for preferring a munster player to a Leinster player and for saying he’s better than another current Leinster player of the same position. How dare you…Leave the provincial sh!te out of this. It’s absolutely disgraceful that you’d prefer a munster player when all the “hype” is around VDF.
Well to be fair Ruddock isn’t anything special really, JOD is about four year youngers and he just has something about him. Wouldn’t mind seeing Jack Conan there either, good player.
I rate him as a very good carrier but i think him and TOD are probably the guys to get the boot with the likes of JOD, VDF, Stander and Conan all coming in + POM and SOB. And I agree with your point on JOD. And I like the look of Conan. I was being sarcastic in my previous comment by the way, just having a bit of fun, not reported haha
Can’t judge any player off the back of that Italy game. I didn’t think he was particularly good against England. Maybe it took him 80minutes to grow into the game. I’ve a feeling he’ll be eaten alive by any number 7 worth his salt
Of course you do.
Hes young and raw but so was Richie mcaw at that age……. Give him a few games to get comfortable at that level and then judge him …….. He has looked alright so far….
Can’t judge any player against that Italy team? Yet he made 15 tackles v a team who didn’t have much possession carried through the tackle line and was everywhere both clearing rucks and filling the defensive line. But then again he’s a Leinster players so your right we should get rid of him
Pete – Italy have a pretty handy backrow, their Number 8 looks fairly decent.
He fared very well against Toulon back in December. Pretty sure they have a quality back row, no?
Alright lads, take it easy on the guy…Jesus. I think he did a fairly solid job the last 2 matches. I’ve nothing bad to say about him. I didn’t know it was obligatory to bash a player about as a youngster. Then again Murray, Zebo and Earls always got abuse from other provinces fans when they started….and still do, so I guess it’s justified. Carry on.
Right..
Yup
He’ll have his work cut out next game against a serious natural 7. His performance in that particular department could be the winning and losing of the game. To be fair, our commitment to clearing out rucks means that Hardie’s influence shouldn’t be so great in general. I do think that Scotland have a strong scrum right now, and their desire and ability to get the ball out wide could mean a long day for us. We just always have one too many players involved in the ruck at defence time. The difference it would make to our line in defence would be immense.
He is like a young richie mccaw out with his pen and his warwick!Cant be a bad thing