Stephen Ferris wants to see more of Ulster's emerging crop of talent getting a chance for Ireland and cited Bryn Ward as an example of a player that might receive a clamour to be fast-tracked if he was lining out for Leinster instead.
The former Ulster and Ireland back row's comments echoed a point made by the province's captain Iain Henderson who recently outlined his desire to see domestic team-mates rewarded for their form at international level.
Nathan Doak, Zac Ward and Jude Postlethwaite are three more uncapped Ulster players putting their hands up for potential inclusion in Andy Farrell's squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations.
"I really hope the Irish coaching staff have a look at these young lads and see how they fit into an exciting Ireland squad going forward," Henderson said after Ulster's impressive BKT URC win over Munster.
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Speaking to RTÉ Radio 1's Inside Sport on Friday night ahead of a weekend which will see the provinces involved in European competition - Leinster and Munster in the Investec Champions Cup, with Ulster and Connacht in the Challenge Cup - Ferris said he agreed with the sentiments that Henderson put forward.
"I was standing beside Iain Henderson when he was asked the question and I think some of the snippets that have been going around on social media cut him off to make it sound like he is banging that drum to get more Ulster players (in the squad)," he said.
"I think if you listen to the whole answer, he sort of went a roundabout way of saying it.
"However, I do agree with him, and if you're good enough, you're old enough, and I feel some of these young guys really deserve a chance.
"And if Bryn Ward was starting for Leinster in an inter-pro, a derby match against Munster, and he got man of the match, scored a try, played really well, the D4 crowd would be absolutely banging the drum for him to be getting into the international squad in a development way - you know the way it's done these days - or maybe in straight away.
"But if that happens up at Ulster, Connacht or Munster, it does feel like you almost need to earn your stripes.
"I'm not a big believer of earning your stripes. I don't think you have to earn your stripes whatsoever. That's old-school mentality.
"New-school mentality is if you're good enough, get yourself in there and I think some of these Ulster players have shown this season that they are good enough, and if they are rewarded, brilliant and that will be deservedly so."
Meanwhile, Ferris also shared his perspective on Saturday's intriguing Champions Cup tie between Leinster and La Rochelle at Aviva Stadium and predicted that if Leo Cullen's side "aren't on it", that the French visitors will win.
"I'm going to put my neck on the line here and say La Rochelle (to win). I think it's time for a surprise in this competition," he said.
"We're into the later rounds of it and I just fancy La Rochelle and Ronan O'Gara to come to Dublin and spring a big surprise.
"I hope I'm wrong but something tells me that there's a little vulnerability within this Leinster team and they haven't hit their straps at all this season, even though they've been winning games over the last number of weeks."
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