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Schmidt gives Van der Flier injury update and it's not good

By Peter Thompson
Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier

Josh van der Flier could be facing a lengthy absence after suffering a knee injury in Ireland’s dramatic Six Nations win over France.

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The flanker did damage late in the first half at Stade de France and was unable to play any further part as Ireland snatched a 15-13 win courtesy of Jonathan Sexton’s drop-goal with the clock red.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt said Van der Flier will definitely not face Italy next weekend and may be a long-term absentee.

“Josh will be unavailable next week,” said Schmidt.

“He will get a scan either tomorrow evening or Monday. It looks like it could medial ligament but that is just my naive diagnosis.

“I thought Josh was playing really well for us in that opening 25 minutes.”

Teddy Thomas’ magnificent solo try nine minutes from time looked to have given Les Bleus victory, but there was a final twist when Sexton added to his four penalties by holding his nerve with the last kick of the game from around 40 metres out.

Schmidt added: “It’s pretty hard to explain how you feel when you think the game has got away and you have let it slip and suddenly you have grabbed it.

“It was an incredible team effort to work their way up the pitch about 40, 45 metres and then add on a 40-metre drop goal. It was fairly inspirational. Even the fact that so many people had to be involved.

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“We had to drop kick the ball and Iain Henderson got it back. We played a number of phases, a cross kick for Keith Earls who leapt three or four feet into the air to claim it.

“When he struck the drop goal I was just willing it to have enough distance to get over. The coaching staff we all stood up as one and cheered with the other Irish supporters who were in the stadium.”

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Trevor 29 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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