Josh van der Flier set for Ireland start as Leavy out of New Zealand clash

Josh van der Flier has been promoted to Ireland’s starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with New Zealand after Dan Leavy was forced to withdraw from the team.

Openside flanker Leavy had missed training on Thursday with head coach Joe Schmidt describing his condition as “all over body soreness” following his 42-minute performance off the bench against Argentina the previous Saturday when he had replaced broken arm victim Sean O’Brien.