Beirne hails Ryan as he goes from sofa to heart of the action

TADHG BEIRNE saw his Six Nations go up in smoke when he broke his ankle against Saracens in December, yet here he is at the centre of the action as Ireland go for the title in their final two games.

The second-row watched the team’s three previous matches under Farrell from the couch as he nursed himself back to health, but the Covid-19 enforced break worked in his favour and, with Devin Toner now surplus to requirements, Iain Henderson banned and Ryan Baird injured, the door is open for him to play a leading role.

“It’s completely bizarre really, it sums up 2020 doesn’t it?” the Kildare native said yesterday.

“Back in February I was shouting for Ireland from my sofa, probably still on crutches, with a (protective) boot on and then eight or nine months later I have an opportunity to see out the season with them in the Six Nations. It’s been a weird one, it’s great for me, it’s an unbelievable opportunity for me on Saturday.

“It’s great to be back in, it’s been a long road to get back here from where I was before Christmas.

“To be back, to be selected even in the squad was a big moment for me and, then, to get an opportunity to not only be involved in the 23 but to start against Italy in the Six Nations is huge for me.

“Unfortunately, I know ‘Hendy’ has a ban at the minute so it also leaves the door open for me to put my hand up. I just want to go out there and put in a good performance and contribute to a successful day out for Irish rugby.”

Beirne (left) partners James Ryan in the second-row. Their last outing together was the defeat to Wales at the end of last year’s Six Nations, but their partnership goes back to their time at Lansdowne under Mike Ruddock.

Beirne was on the cusp of joining Scarlets after his time at Leinster came to an end. Part of the reason he was heading to the exit door was the emergence of the sensation coming out of St Michael’s College.

“James is a phenomenal player, he’s a leader as well, you can see that around the lineout,” Beirne said.

“He’s been taking the reins in terms of calling. From the first moment I played with him in a Lansdowne jersey a few years back, the development of him has been incredible.

“I had heard a lot about him. Leinster sub academy (coach) Dave Fagan had mentioned him a few times coming up through the schools, he was a bit of a prodigy. He has certainly come out and proved his worth in the last few years, and he continues to do so.

“What he has achieved in his short career. . . he’s still only 24. I’ve a great relationship with him. If anything I’m probably learning from him even though I’m his senior, but that’s just the type of player he is.”

This is Beirne’s first involvement under Andy Farrell and he is looking forward to it.

“You have a bit of a licence to play what’s in front of you, to back yourself, which is exciting, especially with the type of players we have.

“If we’re able to do that and express ourselves the way ‘Faz’ wants us to express ourselves I think we’re going to create some really good opportunities in attack and even in defence. To go after them a bit.

“We’ve a bit more licence to go after the ball and stuff like that, so it’s quite exciting.”