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Published 10:33 23 May 2022 BST
Updated 10:37 23 May 2022 BST
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Josh van der Flier applauds the support after a Leinster win over Connacht at the Aviva Stadium. (Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"I've been talking about Josh for a while," O'Brien told Goode. "I think this guy is one of the best players in the world, at the minute, in his position. "His carrying has improved. He was always a tackling machine - a real chop focus - didn't do too much damage at the breakdown, and his carrying was limited. What he's added to his game in the last couple of years is a real change-up to his carry - how hard he is running into holes, running into people, when he has to. "And then, breakdown-wise and the tackle area, how solid he is there. He is making impact shots now. He's not just getting people on the ground, he's staying in the tackle and buying Leinster time to get their defensive line set."Goode, who won the EPCR prize after helping Saracens to a third European title, believes van der Flier 'sets the tone' for Leinster and is a 'real leader' for the team. He also teams up with Johnny Sexton in tackling the big centres and No.8s that run down his channel. https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/1526548240128262145 The winner of the annual award, which was introduced back in 2009, will be announced shortly after Saturday's Champions Cup final. It will be decided by a panel of rugby greats and pundits, including the likes of Bryan Habana, Lee McKenzie, Dimtri Yachvili. Here is a quick run-down of Sean O'Brien's thoughts on the five EPCR nominees:
ANTOINE DUPONT (TOULOUSE)
He pulls teams apart. He does special, special things in games. What a lot of people underestimate, though, is his defensive game and how good that is.
GREGORY ALLDRITT (LA ROCHELLE)
He’s been excellent. Speaking to Ronan O'Gara about him, he’s just a machine. He never stops going.
CAELAN DORIS (LEINSTER)
He’s really come into his own this season, both for club and country.
JOSH VAN DER FLIER (LEINSTER)
This guy is one of the best players in the world… He is on another level, at the minute, to anyone else.
JAMES LOWE (LEINSTER)
He's a real free spirit... brilliant in the air, unbelievable going forward and such a tough guy. And he's a try-scoring machine... You need someone who is going to stand up and be counted. That is James Lowe.
Prendergast admits huge disappointment at Munster situation
Not ideal. It’s worrying times for Munster rugby at the moment, with problems on and off the field. After being knocked out of both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, controversy then surrounded the appointment of Roger Randle for next season, due to historic rape accusations. The New Zealander is coming in to replace senior […]
Rugby
12h
Kerry legend slams players for reaction to Michael Murphy punch
Not under his watch! Although the dust has pretty much settled after the Michael Murphy incident during Donegal’s NFL Division 1 final win over Kerry last month, one Kingdom legend is still not pleased with what went on. Most of the criticism was levelled at Murphy for his clear-as-day punch on Dylan Casey, as well […]
Rugby
13h
Rugby
The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 134
Rugby