The rising star who could put a spanner in the works of the Ireland captaincy decision
Ryan Baird in action for Leinster in 2023.
Munster flanker Peter O’Mahony has been heavily tipped to take on the Ireland captaincy for the Six Nations, but the form of Ryan Baird could change Andy Farrell’s thinking.
The Emerald Isle are searching for their next skipper after the retirement of Johnny Sexton following the recent Rugby World Cup.
O’Mahony is thought to be among the favourites to take it on, while James Ryan will also be in the running having skippered the country in Sexton’s absence.
However, Ryan’s provincial side, Leinster, have interestingly opted for co-captains this season with the lock doing the job alongside Garry Ringrose.
Telling off from the referee
They both started in their recent Champions Cup tie against La Rochelle but Ryan was demoted from skipper after being told off by referee Matthew Carley.
For the rest of the game, Carley only spoke to Ringrose, but Ryan put that behind him to produce an excellent display.
The 27-year-old was arguably outshone, though, by Baird, who showed that he is more than just an outstanding athlete with a superb all-round effort.
His defensive and lineout work was exceptional as Leinster finally ended their La Rochelle hoodoo with a fine 16-9 triumph in France, and ex-Ireland and Munster back-row Alan Quinlan was full of praise for the blindside.
“Ryan Baird just reminded people of what he is capable of. At times, (Antoine) Hastoy was getting the ball and Ryan Baird was right in front of him. You could see him shooting out of the line,” Quinlan said on the Off the Ball podcast.
Baird has been in and around Ireland squads for a while, but has not been first choice for the big games for either province or country.
He only appeared twice – both off the bench – during the World Cup and was also a replacement for last season’s Champions Cup final, but his importance to the Dublin outfit is growing quickly.
After last weekend’s performance, the 24-year-old is making a strong case for being Leinster’s regular blindside flanker, which will therefore put him in contention for a starting role with Ireland.
As a result, that will give Farrell some tough decisions to make, especially if O’Mahony is his first choice for captain.
Quinlan admits that it will give the national team head coach second thoughts, but believes that there is time for Baird to force his way into the reckoning ahead of the next World Cup in 2027.
Searching for consistency
“You try and pick someone who is going to start – a guaranteed starter. Ryan Baird was at the World Cup, but he didn’t really get much of a look-in at all.
“You have to look at the bigger picture going forward, for sure, but short-term, and it usually happens after World Cups, you try and shore up things and get a bit of stability.
“Then you maybe assess ahead of the summer tour. With the Nations Cup that’s going to happen – this global league – between the Six Nations, the summer tours and November, you’re going to have lots of opportunities for players in the next couple of years to rebuild.
“The word is ‘consistency.’ To go out and do it in the next game against Sale (Sharks) and deliver on a regular basis. There is no doubt about his (Baird’s) ability.”
