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Ireland flanker Van der Flier out for the season
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has confirmed Josh van der Flier will be sidelined for the rest of the 2017-18 season after suffering a serious knee ligament injury in his country’s Six Nations victory over France.
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Van der Flier was hurt late in the first half of Saturday’s match at the Stade de France, with Ireland coach Joe Schmidt subsequently stating he feared a long-term lay-off was likely for the flanker.
On Monday, an IRFU statement confirmed the 24-year-old had been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
The news comes as a blow to Ireland and Van der Flier’s club Leinster, who are bidding for glory on two fronts domestically in the Pro14 and European Champions Cup.
Ireland Squad: @joshvdf ruled out for rest of season #TeamOfUs https://t.co/ap3ZhXxiVa pic.twitter.com/SADNbk9Mjp
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 5, 2018
Leinster face a Champions Cup quarter-final with reigning champions Saracens on April 1, but will now have to make do without one of their star performers.
Ireland snatched victory in Paris courtesy of a last-gasp drop goal from Jonathan Sexton and will be expected to make it two wins out of two in the Six Nations when they welcome Italy to Dublin on Saturday.
