Van der Flier has began two video games within the Six Nations this 12 months, the opening day defeat by France and the well-known win over England at Murrayfield.
He was dropped from the squad for the victory towards Italy and got here off the bench within the win over Wales on the weekend.
The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year says he has had to adapt to not taking part in each sport for his nation.
“I always want to start every game, that’s how you want to do it but for the team and development of the team, a lot of lads are playing well,” he added.
“Nick Timoney has been playing brilliant stuff, so aside from myself, it’s great to see him starting and playing really good stuff, the back row has been brilliant throughout, it’s a very competitive place.
“From my perspective, I do not thoughts being on the bench, it is a totally different function to beginning, nevertheless it drives you on to begin.”
The 32-year-old spoke of how a recent conversation with Ireland and Leinster teammate Garry Ringrose reshaped his view of the importance of players making an impact off the bench.
“He was saying about Jacques Nienaber at Leinster, at how the South Africans take a look at the bench and in basketball, it is who you might have on the pitch on the finish of the sport, so I do know he [Jacques] would see it that method as properly,” van der Flier defined.
“It’s an enormous function off the bench, it is a privilege to greater than probably be on the pitch on the finish of the sport, you are wanting to add influence and power, it is a barely totally different function, however I’ve executed it a very good few instances for Leinster and stuff and it is a great way to add to the staff.”
