Ankle operation ends season for Leinster’s Josh van der Flier

Leinster and Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier will miss the PRO12 play-offs as well as Ireland’s summer tour to South Africa, after he was ruled out of action for the next eight weeks.

Van der Flier saw a specialist on Monday for assessment of the ankle injury he picked up in the recent PRO12 defeat by Ulster at Kingspan Stadium. It was decided he would need an operation to repair the damage. He underwent successful surgery yesterday, but his recuperation is expected to take eight weeks.

Leinster face Ulster at the RDS Arena in their PRO12 semi-final on Friday May 20.