Irish third-stringer Josh van der Flier was perhaps the best-known of the four, nominated for Player of the Year alongside Antoine Dupont, Jonny Sexton and Lukhanyo Am.
even though, His title was not stolen. Having already won Leinster player of the year, Irish player of the year and European player of the year, he became the 21st winner of the World Player of the Year award in rugby union.

Champions Cup finalist with Leinster

With the number 7 on his back and a red helmet on his head, the 29-year-old Irish third-rower is not hard to recognize on a pitch. With the professionals at Leinster since 2014, the native of Wicklow (Ireland) has become a key player in the team over time. During the 2022 Champions Cup campaign, he played every match as a starter (8 out of 8 matches) and scored 30 points.

A campaign in which his club humiliated each team one by one: Bath (45-20, 7-64), Montpellier (89-7) or Toulouse (40-17); Before losing the final against La Rochelle (21-24).

Clover XV star

An international U20 with the XV of Clover in 2012 (aged 19) and then a member of the A team for the Six Nations tournament in 2016, van der Flier has not declared his selection a future key player. But as the years passed, he managed to make a name for himself.

This year, he stood out for Ireland in the Six Nations tournament, scoring tries against France and Scotland. Despite the great competition, Ireland lost the title to the French. He has been part of the New Zealand summer tour and has starred for Ireland in all three encounters. He scored a crucial try during the final Test of the tour.

Third Irishman to win the title

By beating 2018 winner Jonny Sexton, Josh van der Flier became the third Irishman to win the World Player of the Year title after Keith Wood (2001) and Jonny Sexton.

Also read this. Rugby. Italian Ange Kapuso won the Revelation of the Year title

In 2019, South African Peter-Steph du Toit was the last third rower to win the title.