JOSH VAN DER Flier wouldn’t be human if he wasn’t disappointed to find himself on the bench at Murrayfield, but he’s the type of player that takes it on the chin and vows to work harder this week.
In the mood: van der Flier at Carton House yesterday. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
After a man of the match performance in the November Test victory over Australia, the 23-year-old may have felt hard done by to be bumped behind Sean O’Brien for the Six Nations opener but that’s not in his character.
He was hardly pleased to fall down the pecking order, but at the same time van der Flier was grateful to be involved in some capacity and will use the learnings to push for inclusion for Saturday’s clash in Rome.
“When you’re on the bench you always want to be in that starting position I suppose,” he said at Carton House yesterday.
“You just have to concentrate on trying to fit in and slot in with the rest of the team [when you come on]. Try and have a bit of an impact. Obviously it had been a tough game up until that stage and a few of the lads were tired so you just have to try and bring the energy.
“It’s probably a lot more enjoyable than coming on when you’re 40 points up or something. It’s a bit more enjoyable coming into a tight game, a bit more tense but it was quite disappointing though.”
Van der Flier during Monday’s squad session at Carton House. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
The dust has now settled on that particular game and Ireland will have identified the areas of improvement ahead of the rest of the campaign in the early stages of the week.
All the focus has now turned to Saturday’s game against Italy and the players have spoken about a desire to right the wrongs and get their Championship back on track. This weekend provides the perfect opportunity.
However, there’s also the Conor O’Shea factor.
The Italians are a work in progress — and there is much to do — but the Limerick native has done a fine job since assuming the reins last year.
This is his first Six Nations as a coach and after his side fell away at home to Wales in the opening week, this fixture will be of added significance for O’Shea.
“He’s going to know all the Irish players as well as anyone and he’s got good experience as a coach,” van der Flier added.