Josh van der Flier: 'It probably feels the best I’ve ever felt playing, to be honest'

Josh van der Flier has been getting advise from Peter O'Mahony and Cian Healy on their longevity.

28 January 2025; Josh van der Flier poses for a portrait after an Ireland Rugby media conference at The Campus in Quinto da Lago, Portugal. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Josh van der Flier feels like a different person to the more anxious 23-year-old version of himself who ran out at Twickenham nine years ago for his Ireland Test debut.

Yet it is the difference he feels from the 2022 version that will pique Ireland supporters ahead of their Guinness Six Nations opener against England in Dublin on Saturday. Now 31, van der Flier believes he is playing the best rugby of his career as he prepares to chalk up his 69th Ireland cap with a start at Aviva Stadium against the side he faced on debut, and considering he was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year two years ago, that is a big statement.