No hangover from Van der Flier’s HIA
SIX NATIONS
TRIES from Dan Sheehan, James Lowe, Ciaran Frawley and Tadhg Beirne helped Ireland to a comprehensive 31-7 victory over Wales last weekend, with Wicklow’s Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan heavily involved.
Former Wicklow RFC player Van der Flier was taken off after 51 minutes to undergo a HIA with Bray’s Conan taking his place. The withdrawal was subsequently changed to a full substitution, but the dynamic back rower revealed that there were no issues after the game.
“All good. We have those gumshields that can flag big impacts, so I was pulled off as part of the process.
“I was pulled off and passed fine, so they just made it a substitution then, but I feel perfect,” he told reporters at the Aviva.
Ireland’s defence during those times of Wales ascendency was an aspect of the game that Josh van der Flier was very happy with.
“From playing and being on the field, it didn’t feel like it was a big scoreline for the way the game felt. I thought Wales defended really well and came hard at us at times.
“One thing that was very encouraging and pleasing was they spent a lot of time with lineouts inside or just outside our 22 and kind of got into that five or 10 metres out a good few times and we managed to defend really well and get the ball back and get it up the field. I feel that that was one kind of contributor to the scoreline.
“We could have been more clinical, but definitely a lot of credit has to be given to Wales for how they defended and worked really hard. It’s difficult for a team with a lot of younger guys, whereas we’re obviously at a different stage as a team. It definitely makes a difference,” he added.
Ireland face England next on March 9 as the dream of back-toback Grand Slams remains very much alive and well.
IRELAND: C Frawley; C Nash (S McCloskey 67), R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park (C Murray 70); A Porter (C Healy 73), D Sheehan (R Kelleher 55), T Furlong (O Jager 55); J McCarthy (J Ryan 55), T Beirne; P O’Mahony (capt) (R Baird 55), J van der Flier (J Conan 51 HIA), C Doris.