Ryan Baird’s development reflects Ireland's recent set-piece revival

Ryan Baird after the Italy game.

If the lineout was Ireland’s achilles heel during last autumn’s World Cup campaign, it has been restored as a strength during the current Guinness Six Nations and Ryan Baird’s development as a Test forward reflects the team’s recent set-piece revival.

Whether at lock or more latterly as a blindside flanker, the 6ft 4ins 24-year-old is finding his groove in an Ireland jersey. Last Sunday’s start at number six against Italy in place of the injured captain Peter O’Mahony was arguably his most effective performance in a Test match in the Leinster player’s 17th Test and his acclimatisation to international rugby has earned the praise of last weekend’s stand-in skipper Caelan Doris.