Back row battle a boost for Ireland - Van der Flier

There's little dispute where Caelan Doris' best position is but that doesn't mean the Ireland back row automatically gets the number 8 shirt.

After tour de force outings during Ireland's summer series win over New Zealand last year, the Mayo man enhanced his reputation during the 2023 Six Nations, with a series of dynamic displays off the back of the scrum.

The 25-year-old demonstrated his versatility when switched to the blindside flank for the win over Italy in Rome, making room for Jack Conan to take up his preferred position at 8.

His latest appearance, starting on the openside against Italy ten days ago, saw Doris pick up yet another man of the match award as he ran in two tries in the 33-17 win. He switched back to 8 when Conan picked up a foot injury before half-time.

And he has earned a ringing endorsement from the current World Rugby player of the year Josh van der Flier, himself a certain starter in Andy Farrell's first XV for all major matches.

"Yeah, there always seems to be a lot of competition around the back row and Caelan did brilliantly the last day," said Van der Flier, a Leinster team-mate of Doris.

"He had a very, very good game and I think any time he takes the field at the moment he's performing really, really well.

"There's always a lot of competition and I'm well used to it."

Conan looks likely to sit out Saturday's evening's game against England (5.30pm) as he recovers with Van der Flier (above), Peter O'Mahony, Ryan Baird, Gavin Coombes, Cian Prendergast and Tadhg Beirne providing other back row options for Farrell.

"We kind of bounce off each other, the whole back-row group in the squad moment, we tend to be learning different things off each other," added Van der Flier, set to win his 51st cap if