JOSH THE COSH PLOTTING A STUNNER

VAN DER FLIER has learned to let go – and that has turned him into one of Ireland’s most dangerous attackers.

The buccaneering Leinster flanker (left) gave Eddie Jones’ England notice of the threat he will pose on Saturday with a huge display against Italy, when he swatted opponents out of his way like flies.

Van der Flier’s reinvention as a ball-carrying menace has happened since he enjoyed his first taste of victory over England in last year’s championship, at the fifth attempt.

The Wicklow man reckons that missing out on the British and Irish Lions squad last summer was a part of the motivation to relax and play his natural game.

He said: “Sometimes I’d have been guilty of overthinking in games, instead of trying to relax and just play what comes naturally. I am trying not to be so tense about things now.

“When I was younger, in school, I thought you had to be like that.

“You’d see the American football movies and everyone is banging their heads off the lockers, pumped and angry.

“But I’ve kind of found that’s not really the way for me, being tense like that. Some days now I even think, ‘I’m feeling way too relaxed here’.

“Then I end up feeling good on the field and playing well, so it’s ‘Oh, I might try that next week!’.

“I’m definitely feeling more relaxed and working on trusting the habits I’ve built up.

“And I’m looking to contribute as much as I can to the team.”