“He’s almost surprised himself in how good he is” | Munster and Ireland Rugby legend David Wallace reveals which Irish back-row’s impress him most

Former Munster and Ireland flanker David Wallace shared his opinions regarding what is a very competitive Irish back-row.

David Wallace earned his first Irish cap in the year 2000, the career that followed would cement him in Irish rugby history as one of the most exquisite back-rows to ever wear the green jersey.

Naturally a lot has changed since Wallace’s untimely exit from the game, and Andy Farrell has a wealth of talent to choose from when he selects his back-row pairings ahead of the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.

In a press conference earlier this week, Wallace shared some opinions about some stand out back-rows across the four provinces.

“I think Josh Van Der Flier has been absolutely excellent in the last 12 months, it’s well known that he’s carrying a lot more and a lot better now. He’s not just carrying more, the intensity and the ability he has, he’s almost surprised himself in how good he is.

“He had such an engine, he was so effective around the field but that one area of his game was something we didn’t see too much of. I think he’s grown in confidence with it and he’s become a real threat, he’s probably nailed on that position for a bit.

Wallace on Josh Van Der Flier

Farrell has selected an all Leinster back-row ahead of their Autumn Nations Series opener against Japan, with Caelan Dorris and Josh Van Der Flier on either flank with Jack Conan stating at number eight.

Munster back-row Gavin Coombes has turned heads since he became a regular name on the province’s team sheet last year, the 23 year old was unavailable for selection for the Japan clash due to an illness yet a starting spot for the young back-row was far from guaranteed.

“Jack Conan did brilliantly in the lions tour, and then in the test teams too but you have Gavin Coombes in Munster who I think is a special kind of player, he breaks the mould a little bit amongst the back row I think, just his ability to get those hard yards won and his carrying ability.

“He (Coombes) has a massive engine too for such a big guy and the rate of tries he’s scoring I think speaks for itself, he gets over that mainline where other players can’t and I think he’s a bit unique in our back-row in that sense. He has that bulk but also that power to go along with it.”

If Coombes is well enough to return to training next week ahead of Ireland’s clash with the All Blacks, the Cork native will have a lofty task of outworking his fellow back-rows for a spot on the match day 23.

“I know Jack Conan has maybe got in front in the national jersey at the moment but I’d love to see Gavin (Coombes) get a good run of games as well, maybe get a game and a half or something like that because I certainly think he’s the real deal.”

Coombes is most likely to feature against Argentina, Ireland’s third and final opponent of the Autumn Nations series, before returning to Munster ahead of their Champions Cup opener against Wasps in December.

Ireland kick-off their Autumn Nations Series against Japan in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday November 6th at 1:00pm.

Canterbury, the official kit partner to Irish Rugby, has revealed the new Ireland Rugby Home and Alternate jerseys that will be worn by the men’s and women’s team throughout the 2021/22 season.