Bryn Ward is determined to strike while the iron is hot and make the most of his rise up the Ireland ranks.
The 21-year-old back row is on an academy contract at Ulster and only made his senior debut for Richie Murphy's side away to the Emirates Lions in round five of the URC in October.
Strong performances for the province saw the Ballinahinch man included in Andy Farrell’s Six Nations squad and, after featuring alongside older brother Zac for Ireland XV last weekend against England 'A', has been called back into the senior camp ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Italy.
Farrell, whose side were hammered 36-14 by France in round one, has been known to ease younger players into the system, allowing them time to settle into the environment, while getting across their detail.
But Ward, son of former Ireland flanker Andy, admits to being a "confident" player and says he wants to show his best side to Farrell to force his way into the matchday 23.
Speaking about his run in the Ulster side, he is well aware of the folly of taking things for granted.
"One week you'll be starting, the next week could be back playing AIL," he said.
That’s the attitude that led to him turning down a chance to practice his putting with Josh van der Flier, the 2022 World Rugby player of the year and one of the squad’s better golfers.
"It's a bit mad," said Ward, who had set himself a goal of playing five games with Ulster before the season began.
"[On Monday] we were sitting there, the lads were going to the putting green down at the K Club, and Josh walked past me and was like, 'do you want to go and hit a few putts?’
"I was just thinking, that's crazy. For me to think a year ago I was playing for Ballinahinch in the AIL and I’m going to go hit a few putts on the putting green with Josh van der Flier is pretty crazy."
Perhaps on the off chance that Van der Flier’s invite was a test, Ward reckoned he had better things to do.
"I told him I was learning detail. I didn't go."
Ward was one of four players speaking to the assembled media on Tuesday afternoon.
That’s generally, but not always, an indication that the person will be involved in the weekend’s game.
To break into the set-up, he's up against Ireland captain Caelan Doris, Lions back rows Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier, Cian Prendergast and Nick Timoney, both of whom featured against France.
Asked if he was ready to take the next step, Ward, who stands 6ft 1in and weighs 115kg, said: "Yeah, 100%.
"For people that know me, I'd be a confident kind of player.
"I feel like I'd be able to take that step no problem but it would obviously be a big step up but it would be something I would cherish and go out to try and grab it with two hands.
"It's been a really surreal couple of months.
"I try to just look at each week, I don't want to get ahead of myself.
"The goal would be to play a match for Ireland, obviously.
"I've really enjoyed the last couple of months and I've taken each step as it comes.
"I've learned so much off all the boys, especially the back row guys like Josh, Nick, Caelan and Jack, the people I'd have looked up to over the years.
"It's really surreal being in camp with them and seeing how they operate and go around their business day to day."
As for how to force Farrell’s hand and get the balance right between respecting the incumbents and their experience, and pushing his case, he said: "I think it's just going out there with a level of confidence that you're good enough to be there.
"That's something I'm trying to do is go out there and train alongside these guys and try and put my hand up for selection."
While he wasn't in Paris for the chastening loss to Les Bleus, Ward was part of the review and says the squad are keen to get back on the horse against an Italian side coming off the back of an 18-15 win over Scotland.
Rugby in the grey – @bernardjackman outlines how Ireland made bad decisions on top of bad decisions against ruthless opposition #SixNations #RTERugby #AgainstTheHead pic.twitter.com/9rBrissRzz
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 9, 2026
"We came in on Monday and we had a look at the game, reviewed the game and it was quickly on to Italy," he said.
"It's all next-game focused. Everyone's ready to go and buzzing are getting their back in the Aviva at home this week and go and right a few wrongs.
"I wouldn't necessarily say easy [to park] but you can't dwell on it at the same time.
"You've got to go in there on Monday, review, see where you need to get better at and then go from there and take it to a new week.
"We're back at home and there's the excitement around that there.
"There were a few areas of the game last week where we probably didn't do what we'd set out to do.
"It's something the lads will be getting after this week against Italy."
'It's massive’ – Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty welcomes to return of prop Tadhg Furlong ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Italy
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 10, 2026
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Watch Ireland v Wales in the Under-20 Six Nations on Friday from 7.25pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch Scotland v England on RTÉ Player
Follow a live blog on Ireland v Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday from 2.10pm on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
