OpinionAustralia
Leinster Flanker · Ireland
Josh Van Der Flier
- Position
- Flanker
- Country
- Ireland
- Age
- 33
- Born
- 25 Apr 1993
- Height
- 1.83 m
- Weight
- not available
- Caps
- 81
- Test tries · pts
- not available
Season by season
— means no data from the provider| Season | App | St | T | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026–27 URC · Leinster | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Nations Championship · Ireland | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2025–26 URC · Leinster | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Minutes are not recorded in the match feed for these matches.
Last five matches
Match by match
5 tracked matches| Attack | Total |
|---|---|
| Running metres | 80 |
| Carries | 36 |
| Clean breaks | 0 |
| Offloads | 1 |
| Try assists | 0 |
| Passes | 26 |
| Defence | Total |
|---|---|
| Tackles made | 55 |
| Tackles missed | 6 |
| Tackle success | 90% |
United Rugby Championship 3 apps · 0 tries
| Match | Car | M | Tkl | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v Sharks 3 Oct 2026 · L 20–26 | 11 | 22 | 4 | 0 |
| v Bulls 19 Jun 2026 · W 36–7 | 12 | 33 | 11 | 0 |
| v Stormers 6 Jun 2026 · W 20–11 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 0 |
| Totals 3 apps · 0 tries | 26 | 59 | 24 | 0 |
Nations Championship 2 apps · 1 try
| Match | Car | M | Tkl | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v New Zealand 18 Jul 2026 · L 21–40 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 0 |
| v Australia 4 Jul 2026 · W 33–31 | 7 | 17 | 19 | 1 |
| Totals 2 apps · 1 try | 10 | 21 | 31 | 1 |
WeTalkRugby Rating
About Josh Van Der Flier
Josh van der Flier was named World Rugby men’s player of the year in 2022, which surprised everyone except the people who had been watching his tackle counts.
He is an openside built on volume rather than theatre. The numbers — tackles made, rucks hit, metres carried after contact — sit at the top of the northern hemisphere year after year, and they are produced without the penalty risk that usually accompanies a specialist jackal.
The unusual part of his game is the lineout. Ireland have used him as a throwing option, which is close to unheard of for a back-rower and gives them a set-piece variation nobody else has.
He is not the biggest carrier in the pack and does not pretend otherwise. What he offers is a guarantee: the work will be done, the ruck will be secured, and the player who beat him will be tackled by him again forty seconds later.
Ireland have younger opensides pushing. None of them have yet matched the reliability.
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Frequently asked questions
What position does Josh Van Der Flier play?
Josh Van Der Flier plays as a flanker for Leinster Rugby.
Which team does Josh Van Der Flier play for?
Josh Van Der Flier currently plays for Leinster Rugby.
How old is Josh Van Der Flier?
Josh Van Der Flier is 33 years old (born 25 April 1993).
How tall is Josh Van Der Flier?
Josh Van Der Flier stands 1.83m tall.
What nationality is Josh Van Der Flier?
Josh Van Der Flier is from Ireland.
How many tries has Josh Van Der Flier scored?
Josh Van Der Flier has scored 1 tries and 5 points across 5 tracked matches.