Confident Bryn Ward ready to make another step up for Ireland if needed

Bryn Ward's rise has been rapid this season. It's just five months since he made his Ulster debut. He's now part of the Ireland Six Nations squad

Bryn Ward played 80 minutes for the Ireland XV side in defeat to England A and was then called back into the Six Nations squad. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Clohessy

Bryn Ward could be forgiven if he needs to remind himself where he is when he wakes up in the mornings right now.

Named in Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad for this Six Nations, the Ulster back row travelled to Portugal for the pre-tournament camp, returned home to play for the XVs selection at Thomond Park, and then got recalled to the elite group for the visit of Italy this Saturday.

This is a guy who was still playing AIL rugby for Ballynahinch last season. A man still employed at his province under an academy contract and whose professional debut came only five months ago, against the Lions in South Africa.

“It's been a really surreal couple of months and something I really cherish.” 

Ward said as much to his mum the other day, explaining how he had set a goal of playing five games for Ulster at the start of the season. He’s surpassed that by four already and with a minimum of nine more to come. Maybe an Irish cap is incoming shortly too.

All this takes getting used to.

Ward has found himself marvelling at the fact that he was sitting down for a coffee with Caelan Doris. Josh van der Flier asked the other day if he fancied joining a few of them to hit a few putts at the K Club.

“I was just thinking, that's crazy.” That’s the endearing side to all this. The hard facts are that the likes of Ward and Edwin Edogbo and anyone else promoted up to the squad are expected to get across their detail in double quick time. The K Club invitation had to go unused.

Ward has been an eager student.

Crumbs of advice from Johnny Sexton were gobbled up in Quinta do Lago, likewise the lessons from his more experienced back row colleagues. He returned for the XVs game against England armed with a drawer full of new tips and extra confidence.

He’s ready for that Test debut, should it come soon.

A “confident kind of player”, he is backing himself to take whatever opportunities arise and his Ulster bow should stand to him there having made the occasion bigger in his head at the time and dropping his first ball against the Lions.

“It was a bit of baptism of fire, Yeah, it was a tough place to go, in Ellis Park, up in South Africa in that heat. Being a fair-haired ginger as well, I didn't do too well in that. You could tell I was struggling at half-time.

“It was great. I probably didn't have my best game, but it was something I learned a lot off, and I was so hungry to get back out there and prove myself because I didn't really think I'd done it justice that day.

“But I'm so grateful that I got another opportunity, and I'm just trying to keep my head down now.”