Josh van der flier ready for 'brilliant' Scotland team to challenge Ireland's 11-win streak

The men in green have a stellar 11-match winning streak established over the Scots, dating back to the 2018 Six Nations. Ireland's eight year run of dominance cuts through every installment of the annual Championship, the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup, and the pools of the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups.

Whilst van der Flier expressed that the solid track record breathes a sense of confidence into the side, the Emerald Islanders are by no means expecting the win against the flying Scotsmen. The Leinster stalwart revealed how he thinks this Scotland team are playing some 'brilliant' rugby, as Gregor Townsend's side stunned France 50-40 in their latest tournament outing.

"Scotland are playing really well at the moment, playing brilliant, brilliant stuff." Van der Flier said. "But, whenever we've done well, we've kind of put in a pretty all-around performance. I can't remember us beating Scotland when we haven't played well, over the years. It'll definitely take a big performance.

"We're by no means expecting a win or anything like that. We're prepared for a tough game, and we know it'll be a big challenge. We'll try to perform at our best, that's probably the big focus. We have so much respect for them."

Having made his Ireland debut in 2016, van der Flier collected his sixth test cap in Ireland's latest defeat to Scotland, back in the second round of the 2017 Six Nations. The back row has since accrued 78 caps for his country, including nine victories over this weekend's incoming opponents. Whilst van der Flier does not fall back on his past triumphs to take the foot of the Scottish gas, he does understand how it can heat up his teammates to add confidence into their performances.

"I would take it on an individual game basis. It could definitely give confidence if lads like that, it's the same with anything. If you've done something before and you've succeeded, it helps in confidence. It probably does allow us to be a bit more relaxed. There aren't as many doubts in there for us.

"We know in the past, we've performed well, we've managed to win, but I wouldn't say that [a win is expected]. It's a different Scotland team from what we've seen in the last few years. They're playing brilliant stuff. Everyone would have seen the game against France and how good they were.

"So, we'll take confidence in the fact that when we've performed well, we've managed to get wins, but I don't think that necessarily means we just need to turn [up] and play well. I think it'll take our best this weekend, and that's the goal to get there."

Van der Flier took a moment to cast his mind back to a couple of the more recent Celtic clashes, with his line-out throwing from the 2023 match-up still well in the memory. Van der Flier stepped up to take the side-line re-start throughout the second half, following injuries to hookers Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher. Whilst the Leinster man hopes that he won't be called upon for the set-piece put in, he does make sure to hit the reps in training just in case.

"I was just messing around with a couple in the warm-up, hopefully it doesn't come to that again! I Remember the game in Murrayfield a few years ago, I always kind of tip away, a couple here and there.

"It's funny, I played for a long time, and it had never happened until that day, which was the first time I ever threw in a lineout. I'd practised it a bit here and there, so I'd always try and tip away, but you always hope you don't have to use it because it means we're in a bit of bother if you do."

Jumping forward 24 months upon his mental recap, and van der Flier reflected upon Ireland's hot start up in Murrayfield for last season's fixture. Ireland exploded out the gate in the Scottish capital, much like the Olympic champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy who presented the match ball.

Andy Farrell's side raced out the blocks for a 17-0 first half lead, which laid the foundations for the overall triumph. Van der Flier is hopeful that his side will emulate their efforts from last year's Championship, yet recognises how the likes of Scotland maverick Finn Russell must be kept quiet to do so.

"We had a fast start, and we were pretty physical. I thought we were very good on the contact side of things, from memory. Trying to nullify what they do is critical as well, seeing how well their attacking game has been going, there are a lot of key players like Finn Russell, who runs the game very well.

"Trying to manage that, minimise their effectiveness and then, I suppose, front up when we have the ball as well, and in defence. The big things I find with any of these test matches is, whoever wins the physical battle tends to stand a pretty good chance. So, without oversimplifying it, that's probably one thing we've done well in the past and would have to be pretty good in that area for the weekend."

Reflecting upon his own personal Championship after the past four rounds, and van der Flier will be hoping to return to the starting XV for this Saturday. The Leinster man is not too used to taking a seat amongst the replacements, yet the 32-year-old did just that with a substitute appearance against Wales last Friday night. Whilst van der Flier admitted how he would love to start every game, he called upon the Springboks' bomb squad to best demonstrate the changing importance of the replacements bench.

"I'd always want to start every game. That's kind of the way you always want to do it." van der Flier said.

"I don't mind being on the bench. It's a different role, I suppose, to starting. But it drives you on as well. I think it's an unbelievably competitive place. Never take for granted getting to play for Ireland whenever you're chosen. It's always great to be involved.

"I'd love to start every game for the next few years. I think every player is that way, everyone's is competitive, the nature of it is very competitive. A lot of lads are playing well, and you can't always play."

"I was actually chatting to Garry Ringrose during the week, he was saying to me how, especially having Jacques Nienabar in Leinster, how he and the South Africans tend to look at the bench. I know in basketball, I've heard it said before, 'the main thing is who you have on the pitch at the end of the game'.

"I know Jacques Neinabar would kind of see it very much that way as well, it's a big role off the bench. It's a privilege to more than likely be there at the end of the game. You're looking to add impact, add energy, I've done it quite a few times for Leinster, and it's a good way to add to the team."

After starting against France and England either side of being rested for the Italy match, van der Flier took a seat on the bench behind Nick Timoney in round four. The Ulster man made his mark for a first Ireland start, as Andy Farrell rewarded the in form Belfast.

"A lot of lads are playing well, Nick Timoney's been playing brilliant." van der Flier added. "So, aside from myself, it was great to see him starting on the weekend just gone, and he's played really, really good stuff. Back rows have been brilliant throughout, it's a very competitive place."

"He's [Nick Timoney] remarkably calm. He doesn't seem to get too bothered or nervous - if he does, he doesn't seem to let anyone see it anyway. He's been brilliant. He's pretty meticulous in his preparation. Anytime we're both in camp over the years, we worked together quite a bit because we're both in the back row, so we do a lot of work together, a lot of video stuff - he's a brilliant player.

"Speaking to him, he probably hasn't had as many opportunities as he would have liked. It's a competitive position, but I thought every time he's gone onto the field, he's been absolutely brilliant. I think the Portugal week [pre-Six Nations training camp], set him up so well for the tournament.

"I remember Andy saying at one stage he was 'man in the match for the week' pretty much in terms of the training. The way he trains, how hard he goes, it shows in the game then. He's a great bloke to have around. Good sense of humour, and he's played really well. He has been a huge addition to to the team anytime he's been on the field so it's great to see him doing well."