Van der Flier keen to fill the gaps at Leinster

The flanker, whose eye-catching surname betrays his Dutch roots, has made three appearances for Leinster's senior team this season, making his debut in October's win at Zebre.

And with the likes of Jamie Heaslip, Jordi Murphy and Sean O'Brien away on Irish duty, van der Flier is keen to step up and fill the void.

"We all know that there is an opportunity to put the hand up but you can easily get too far ahead of yourself," he told the Irish Independent.

"You have to just keep plugging away and keep trying to develop as a player day in and day out. If opportunities come my way, great, but I know where my focus lies.

"As much as you think you are going well in training, in some ways nothing can prepare you for the actual match day and playing in the PRO12 for Leinster.

"But, as I said, having done that once, you just want to experience it again and again."

Leinster find themselves in fourth place in the GUINNESS PRO12 table, just three points behind leaders Ospreys, and will feel they can use the Dragons' visit to the RDS to launch the second-half of the season as they bid to retain their title.

And 21-year-old van der Flier admits his development this year has surprised even him, as he looks to draw on as much experience as he can from those around him.

"This season I am definitely in bonus territory," he said. "The goal for me now is definitely to look to challenge regularly based on form and based on my own ability.

"I look around me and the players ahead of me and I have to be patient - they're all international-class back-rowers.

"I have to be smart too and realise that there is a huge opportunity there to learn from these guys and to see what parts of my game I can bring on by watching them in action."

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