11-07-2025
The big reason why Ryan Baird is finally realising his potential at Test level
High up in the foothills of Lisbon was the setting for Ireland's final training session of the season on Friday afternoon.
The Estádio Nacional, this city's iconic football ground, is nestled on the outskirts of the city and the tropical conditions, with its high humidity and misty rain, merely adding to the sense of isolation. It's like someone stuck a sports stadium in the middle of the Amazon rainforest.
This was the venue where Celtic – aka the 'Lisbon Lions' – defeated Inter Milan to win a European Cup final in 1967. This is the setting for the national team's last stand of a long campaign. For interim head coach Paul O'Connell, his temporary backroom team and this young crew of players, this is the final assignment before a well-earned break and another gruelling season begins. The Captain's Run at Estádio Nacional do Jamor in Lisbon, Portugal. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
Many of the provinces have already returned to pre-season training in recent weeks. The wheel keeps turning and, for this youthful squad containing three debutants, it's a chance to lay down a marker ahead of the November internationals when Andy Farrell and the frontliners will be back on board.
There's also the small matter of a rematch with the All Blacks at Soldier Field in the autumn, not to mention a meeting with the Springboks in Dublin as well as a Wallabies side, who may be celebrating a historic series win against the Lions. There is a real chance to lay down a marker ahead of the November internationals when Andy Farrell and the frontliners will be back on board. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
For now, this is about finishing an encouraging development tour on a high.
O'Connell and Co have seen little of the limelight in recent weeks. You got that sense during Friday's captain's run which took place in fairly torrential conditions. The rain has followed Ireland from Tbilisi to Portugal this week. It did little to dampen the mood in camp, however.
These players look determined to lay down another marker after last weekend's encouraging 34-5 win against Georgia. For such a callow crew, it was an excellent performance. Paul O'Connell and Co have seen little of the limelight in recent weeks. Pic: INPHO/Matteo Ciambelli
O'Connell's young troops are unlikely to meet much resistance this evening. Portugal won a lot of admirers during the 2023 World Cup with their enterprising brand of rugby, a tournament when they famously beat Fiji in the pool stages.
But Os Lobos have regressed at an alarming rate in recent years. Visionary French coach Patrick Lagisquet left his post after that tournament and Portugal have since slid down to 18th in the world rankings.
Saturday's venue can comfortably hold almost 38,000 spectators but only about 8,000 are expected to turn up. Many of which will be Irish supporters. The home side are made up of players from ProD2 – the second tier of the French professional league – or their own amateur clubs in Lisbon and Benfica. Tomas Appleton, Portugal's captain and experienced centre, is a dentist by trade. There will be a big gulf in class and Ireland should ease to a comfortable victory.
It's another chance for the next generation to move further up the international pecking order. There are just 165 caps in this starting line-up. For context, there were 781 in the starting XV which faced Italy in the final round of the Six Nations in March, with a further 408 caps of experience on the bench.
Ireland need to rebuild ahead of 2027 World Cup. The retirements of Cian Healy, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray have accelerated the process and O'Connell has taken big strides in recent weeks, with Shayne Bolton, Alex Kendellen and Hugh Gavin set to swell Ireland's number of newly-capped Test players on tour to nine when the first whistle is blown on Saturday night.
That's a good haul and that extra layer of depth will serve the national cause well ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Craig Casey has revelled in the captaincy. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
No doubt, Farrell and the rest of his Irish-heavy Lions backroom team will be keeping tabs on developments in Lisbon.
He will be heartened by the growth of some players. Craig Casey has revelled in the captaincy. Tommy O'Brien has looked the part on the right win. Darragh Murray has been a cool customer at lock.
Ryan Baird could arguably be the success story of the tour. Finally, the 25-year-old looks like he is reaching his vast potential. This will be Baird's 29th international appearance and the hope is that he is about to become a firm fixture on the blindside for club and country in the coming years.
Baird's talent has never been in question. Physically, the former St Michael's student won the genetic lottery. He can do things which other forwards could only dream about. Few backrow forwards have his pace and acceleration. It's the more subtle parts of his game which have let him down, mind. A bit of grit and a bit of game smarts in tight games has been lacking. It's the reason why O'Mahony continued to get the nod long into his 30s. Ryan Baird receives the ball from a lineout against Georgia. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
Now, Baird looks a more complete player. Something clicked at the business end of his campaign with Leinster.
He was tipped for big things from a long way out. Baird made his Ireland debut – alongside Casey – from the bench against Italy during the 2021 Six Nations. He has flitted in and out of the starting line-up ever since but Ireland's tour skipper has seen huge growth in his teammate in recent times.
'He's a freak athlete and I think you could see that from the moment he stepped into pro rugby,' Casey said. Ryan Baird could arguably be the success story of the tour. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
'I think he's refined his game and his game smarts over the last few years. It's properly coming to the fore now. He's the whole package now I think. He can physically dominate games.
'He can make those bursts and stuff like that, but it's probably the rugby smarts in behind it. When the game doesn't go his way, he can just default back into them.
'I think you could see that over the last few weeks. He's been class. One thing about Bairdo, he doest it his way. He never shirks away from being himself and I've massive respect for that.'
Baird should see plenty of ball on Saturday night. Ireland are primed to put on a show. They may feel like no one is watching and that's definitely been the vibe in these remote surroundings, but Baird and Co can make another big statement here.
