Josh van der Flier’s omission from the British and Irish Lions Test team last summer remains one of rugby’s most baffling decisions—and it still stings. Despite being crowned World Rugby Player of the Year in 2022 and delivering his signature consistency and aggression on tour, Van der Flier was left on the sidelines while others took the field. But here’s where it gets controversial: was it really just a 'gut feeling' from head coach Andy Farrell, or was there more to the story? Let’s dive in.
Van der Flier has since moved on, captaining Leinster for the first time and gearing up for a massive derby clash against Munster this Saturday. He’s also set to join Ireland in their showdown with the All Blacks. Yet, the question lingers: what more could he have done to secure a Test cap? The 32-year-old started four games on the Australia tour, came off the bench in another, and was widely tipped as a Test starter. Instead, Farrell opted for Tom Curry, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Ben Earl, and Jac Morgan in the back row. Was Van der Flier truly the odd man out, or did he simply fall victim to a coach’s intuition?
In a recent interview with RTÉ Sport, Van der Flier shed light on his conversations with Farrell. 'It’s a funny one,' he admitted. 'You work your whole career to get on a Lions tour, and once you’re there, the ultimate goal is to play in the Test games. It was definitely disappointing.' Farrell, known for his honesty, explained it as a 'gut feeling' about the balance of the back row. 'You just want coaches to be straight with you,' Van der Flier added, 'and Andy is always that.'
But this is the part most people miss: Van der Flier isn’t one to dwell on setbacks. Instead, he’s channeling that disappointment into his next challenge—starting with Munster. 'They’ve been very good, very organized, and full of energy,' he said of his opponents, who have won all three of their matches this season. 'We’re expecting Munster at their best, and it’ll take our best to match them.'
Leinster, however, are no pushovers. They’ve won seven of the last eight meetings with Munster and are favorites heading into Saturday’s clash at Croke Park. Van der Flier, in line for his 160th cap, knows what’s at stake. 'It means a lot to us playing against Munster,' he said. 'They’re huge rivals, and these games always bring out our best.'
Reflecting on his captaincy debut last weekend—a 31-5 win over the Sharks—Van der Flier called it 'a great honor.' Yet, he doesn’t expect to lead the team again this Saturday. 'It was a busier week, with a lot of unknowns,' he explained. 'But the lads were very helpful, and it was a cool experience.'
So, here’s the burning question: Did Andy Farrell make the right call by leaving Van der Flier out of the Test team, or did he overlook one of the game’s most consistent performers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
