Josh van der Flier ruled out of Pro12 playoffs and summer tour of South Africa

Van der Flier had been expected to feature in Joe Schmidt’s plans for the trip to South Africa in June.

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

The province reported this afternoon that van der Flier saw a specialist on Monday having injured his ankle against Ulster. Following further review it was decided he would need an operation operation to repair the damage.