Van der Flier has ‘no issues’ after stamp
LEINSTER’S Josh van der Flier has insisted that he has no issues with Dominic Robertson-McCoy after the Connacht prop’s horror-stamp on the Ireland international during Saturday’s Pro14 clash in Galway. Substitute Robertson-McCoy had been on the field less than 60 seconds when he was redcarded in the 70th minute after bringing his right boot down on the head of Van der Flier, who was lying on the side of a ruck. Referee John Lacey quickly deemed the incident a deliberate stamp and Van der Flier, who finished out the game, stated afterwards that he held no grudge against the New Zealander and was unscathed from the incident. ‘You don’t get any scratches or that with the scrum-cap on, feeling good. Fine, no issues at all,’ said Van der Flier, who was named man of the match in the Blues’ 20-3 win at The Sportsground, following an all-action display that included 20 tackles. ‘From what I saw anyway I think James Lowe went to pick the ball up and go again and kind of bumped into him [Robertson-McCoy] and he fell back on to me,’ he added.
‘Straight away the moment the game finished he came straight over to me and said sorry. And then he said it again to me after just in the changing rooms there, so fair play to him for that.’ Connacht boss Andy Friend admitted that he was unhappy with the actions of Robertson-McCoy. ‘Dom is bitterly disappointed with himself. It’s not his character, he’s a good fella,’ said Friend. ‘But he knows he did the wrong thing there.’ Connacht will now likely have to plan without Robertson McCoy for an extended period with the prop expected to receive an lengthy ban for the ugly incident. Leinster, who welcomed back Sean O’Brien after a six-month layoff, will provide an injury update on their squad today ahead of Saturday’s Aviva Stadium meeting with Munster.