'Trust' - The simple word that sparked Baird's timely Italian performance

The 23-year-old has staked a claim for more involvement in Andy Farrell's squad.

FORWARD OPTION: Ryan Baird. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Trust. It took just that one word to spark the kind of performance off the bench that made Ryan Baird such an integral part of Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations victory over Italy last Saturday in Rome.

The 23-year-old powerhouse forward had not featured in a green jersey for 12 months but when his opportunity finally came last weekend at Stadio Olimpico, Baird was emphatic in the way he grasped it, empowered by that simple cue.