Josh van der Flier’s faith justified as young guns step up to the plate

Turns out the kids are alright, but then Josh van der Flier told us that last Christmas.

The atmosphere around Leinster then was far less positive than is the case now. The province’s European hopes lay in tatters and adding to the misery was the news that Ben Te’o had just agreed a summer switch to the Worcester Warriors.

Te’o had been a rare shaft of light amidst the gloom of a troubled campaign but the future England international’s form was already being challenged by the kid with the Dutch background who had progressed through the academy ranks.