Ireland have an embarrassment of riches at the moment when it comes to the back row. There's former British and Irish Lions like Peter O'Mahony, Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan, former World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris isn't too shabby either.
However with this high level of competition it means some top players have to sit on the bench and Ryan Baird has been the victim of that. Having started all but one of his 8 games for Leinster this season, Baird has cemented his place in the starting lineup for Leinster and has shone.
Many would've thought his performances for Leinster so far this season along with the beginning of a new World Cup cycle allowing Ireland a chance to try different players would see Baird come into the starting jersey but with Peter O'Mahony being made captain before the tournament, Baird has seen his opportunities coming from the bench.
Ryan Baird's only start for Ireland this season came against Italy last month, having been mainly used as an impact sub during the World Cup and in the Six Nations matches against France and Wales where the squads have been less rotated. With the rise of Joe McCarthy in the second row as well the gaps for Baird to get a starting jersey have closed.
Still on the back of another blistering performance against Wales, some have wondered if Baird's scintillating form means he must start against England in a week's time.
Stephen Ferris On Ryan Baird's Six Nations So Far
One man who's high on Ryan Baird is Stephen Ferris. The former British and Irish Lion thinks Baird has done well in his role so far for Ireland in this year's Six Nations.
Ryan Baird has been absolutely outstanding so far in this Six Nations so far. Many people believe if Perter O'Mahony hadn't been handed the captain's armband for Ireland that Ryan Baird would be starting in the number 6 jersey. I'm not so sure, we all know how good of an impact player he is off the bench, he athletically one of the most gifted players in world rugby I would say.
Of course Baird is known for his freakish athleticism and the highlight reel he's conjured up at such a young age is very impressive, but his mental attributes have come along as well, as Ferris explains.
He's super fast, super aggressive, brilliant lineout option. I think his game management as in how he sees the game is coming along each game that he plays. He's been able to read the game a lot better, he's gaining experience and he's certainly going to be one of the most exciting players for Ireland moving forward. And lastly, he's a big man, he's a big unit, he's really aggressive in the tackle and we all know how good a carrier he is with the ball.
Ferris also points out that Baird is still learning and working with the talent Ireland have at their disposal will only help him in the future.
Ryan Baird is an exceptional rugby player and he's only going to get better working with the likes of Peter O'Mahony, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jack Conan, there's a plethora of unbelievable Irish backrow talent.
At only 24 years of age, Ryan Baird's time is still to come.
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