Leinster tyro relishing home debut

In an Ireland squad dotted with overseas imports, the appearance of a Van der Flier on the team sheet could well have inspired more moans and groans from critics of rugby’s Test qualification criteria.

Yet Leinster back rower Josh van der Flier (pronounced ‘fleer’, not ‘flyer’), who today wins his second cap for Ireland, is Dublin born and bred, the son of a former Leinster Under-21 player and grandson of a Dutch couple who moved to the country’s capital from Holland in the 1950s.

It was father Dirk who introduced Josh to rugby. He had played for Old Wesley and took his son to Lansdowne Road to watch Ireland as often as he could. From there, the seed was sown and Josh van der Flier was a name in waiting for the Ireland team.