Josh van der Flier improvement no surprise to Leinster teammates

WORLD'S BEST: Josh van der Flier poses with his trophy after winning the men's rugby union player of the year award during the 2022 World Rugby Awards ceremony in Monaco. Pic: Clement Mahoudeau/AFP via Getty Images

He might be one of his biggest challengers for a Leinster starting berth, but Scott Penny is full of admiration for World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year Josh van der Flier.

Following an outstanding 2022 (to date) at provincial and international level, the openside flanker saw off competition from team-mate Jonathan Sexton, France’s Antoine Dupont and South African centre Lukhanyo Am to claim the top individual prize at World Rugby’s awards ceremony in Monaco on Sunday.