Lions ambitions remain but Josh van der Flier focused on keeping it simple for now

“I talked to a few people about how I could improve, things I could get better at. Trying to find what works best for me."

Josh van der Flier of Ireland is tackled by Caleb Muntz of Fiji. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

There are some for whom the very mention of the British and Irish Lions in November, over seven months out from their next tour, will act as a red rag to a bull. Time enough for all that, and all. The far side of the next Six Nations at least.

We’d normally be inclined to agree but there’s no escaping the shadow of next year’s series Down Under as Andy Farrell takes charge of Ireland for the last time before switching caps and starting his temporary stint as head man with the historic select side.