For someone so fresh to the unforgiving arena of international rugby, Bryn Ward looked remarkably comfortable in his own skin as he fielded questions from the Irish press pack for the first time.
Sitting back in his chair, arms folded, the 21-year-old spoke with clarity and conviction after being called into Andy Farrell’s squad before Saturday’s game against Italy.
Life has happened fast for Ward, the son of ex-Ireland flanker Andy and younger brother of Ulster team-mate Zac.
He made his Ulster debut from the start against the Lions in Johannesburg in October thanks to a last-minute call-up after Juarno Augustus failed a fitness test.
It wasn’t long before he was attracting lofty praise. Of his player-of-the-match display in the festive derby win over Munster which yielded his first senior try, Ulster boss Richie Murphy said the young back rower’s efforts with ball in hand was “up there with the best ball carriers in the world”.
With just four senior starts to his name, Ward was named a training panellist in Farrell’s Six Nations squad.
After a few days rubbing shoulders with Ireland’s best in Portugal, Ward linked up with the Ireland XV for last week’s game against England A in Limerick.
While it proved a deeply demoralising night, Ward managed to stand out in a 52-14 defeat, earning an invitation back into Farrell’s squad.
He now finds himself pushing for his first cap, sensing an opportunity to show Irish rugby fans a glimpse into the future with the national team at a low ebb.
“It’s been a really surreal couple of months and something I’ve cherished,” said Ward.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Obviously the goal is to play a match for Ireland but I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m trying to take each step as it comes.”
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