Josh Van Der Flier

Ireland’s Josh van der Flier normally wears a scrum cap but he didn’t against Romania in the first match in Bordeaux

World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier aiming to deliver his best in World Cup in France four years after Ireland’s anticlimactic experience in Japan

World player of the year is still waiting to win a Champions Cup decider on the pitch

Three Leinster players on five-man shortlist for EPCR Player of the Year award

Ireland player on crucial Six Nations clash: ‘I’ve been trying just to prepare the way I would for a normal game, not think about the consequences’

Ringrose and Henderson out, Doris, Sheehan and Kelleher to be monitored

Ireland’s number eight was never far from the action during a contest in which he did almost everything

Van der Flier, Doris, Osborne, Ringrose and Coombes all on 15-man shortlist

Josh van der Flier epitomised the attitude needed, which augurs well for Leinster’s spicy clash against La Rochelle

Terry Kennedy takes World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year at awards ceremony in Monaco

Josh van der Flier has reached another level over the last 12 months to develop into a genuine world-class talent

Mack Hansen, Dan Sheehan, Aimee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Terry Kennedy, Linda Djougang and Andy Farrell all also up for awards

Andy Farrell’s men must back up successful New Zealand tour in upcoming autumn internationals

Irish flanker hoping to be fully fit to face the Springboks for a first time

Terry Kennedy and Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe recognised in the Sevens game

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

Ireland backrow’s busy summer saw him get married following the historic series win in New Zealand

How the Ireland squad fared during their series-clinching victory in Wellington

John O’Sullivan runs the rule over Ireland’s performance in the first Test defeat at Eden Park

If Leinster maintain their quick ruck speed they will get the tries they need to win

Senior team are beneficiaries of good work which goes on at club and schools level

Flanker chosen from shortlist with Caelan Doris, Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan

Having come tantalisingly close in recent years, this Leinster group has what it takes

Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan and James Lowe, included on five-man shortlist

Aside from turnover try and another off a catch-and-drive, Toulouse hardly threatened

Talented back one of four nominees for men’s XVs players’ player of the year

Likely quarter-final date with Leicester booked in the diary after Aviva hammering

Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher back in frontrow for Aviva Stadium second leg

Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher make starting XV

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

Leinster flanker knows he will have to keep a close eye on Connacht outhalf in second leg

It’s advantage Leinster after European Champions Cup round of 16, first leg

Fully-loaded Leinster taking no chances as they make the journey west for Sportsground showdown

Leo Cullen’s side now 10 points clear after dominant display over great rivals

Five Irish players included, nine from the winning French team, and Maro Itoje

‘I wanted us to have something to show for all our hard work over the last few weeks’

John O’Sullivan hands out the marks to Andy Farrell’s side from the Aviva Stadium

Conor Murray try completes comfortable victory to secure first silverware won on home soil since 2004

Prospect of Triple Crown will keep players’ focus on Scotland and not on Paris outcome

Ireland flanker eager to take home Triple Crown after being in the crowd for 2004 win