I WILL SOAK ITAL IN ON MY BIG DAY

ANYONE who sees the Ireland team bus making the short trip to the Aviva Stadium tomorrow might catch a glimpse of a big man with a smile on his face. Along with Dan Sheehan and Mike Lowry, Ryan Baird makes his first Six Nations start against Italy and he will try to squeeze every moment out of the day.

Baird (above) has the talent and size to become a feature of this Ireland set-up over the next decade having stayed patient since last year’s Test debut in Rome. With James Ryan absent with an adductor injury, the lock is excited about this chance.

“One of the most special things for me actually is driving on the bus from the Shelbourne to the Aviva,” said the 22-year-old. “You see so many people clapping you as you’re going into the stadium. It just gives you such a great perspective on the opportunity you’ve been given.

“It’s always one of my favourite things, just soaking it in, singing the anthems, realising how many people you’re representing.

“Honestly, one thing I always said I’d do is just enjoy it and never take it for granted.

“My parents always tell me to just realise how fortunate I am to be where I am. I just try to really enjoy it, take it all in because rugby is going to be such a small part of my life if you look at how many years it is.

“But I want to make it as meaningful as possible. I really want to get the most out of my career, however many years it is. I really want it to be something special that I hold onto.

“I wouldn’t want to be caught up in smaller things that will take away from the whole occasion.

“When that whistle goes or in the lead-up when I arrive, I’ll switch into a different mode altogether, getting ready for an 80-minute performance.

“But before that I just like to stay relaxed, enjoy it and take it all in.”

The Dubliner has thrived on chats with Leinster’s Stuart Lancaster, given the experience of the ex-england head coach in bringing through young players.

He also tries to follow Andy Farrell’s advice to just be himself on the pitch.

The prospect of partnering Tadhg Beirne excites Baird, who recalls the Munster man guiding him through his first Ireland game at the Aviva Stadium against England.

“He’s a phenomenal player but he’s a great person as well,”