Dec 10,2024
Ireland back row Josh van der Flier has been named the Autumn Nations Player of the Series.
The 31-year-old Leinster forward started all four games for Andy Farrell's side in November as they followed up an opening loss to New Zealand with wins over Argentina, Fiji and Australia.
Van der Flier, who scored in Leinster’s Champions Cup win over Bristol on Sunday on his 148th club appearance, was the World Rugby player of the year in 2022.
The ANS award was decided by fans’ votes and Van der Flier took 37%, with South Africa wing Cheslin Kolbe second on 34%.
The Wicklow man’s stats across the four games were impressive.
In addition to scoring tries in each game except against Los Pumas, the 68-times capped flanker had 27 carries, 45 tackles, and 101 rucks hit.
Van der Flier, who has won three Six Nations titles, made a combined average of 68 carries, tackles and rucks per 80 minutes – more than any player of any nation to feature for 100 or more minutes.
