Goose stepping 113kg turbo Ireland lock changes everything we know about rugby
It is time we talked about Ryan Baird and what is going on there with the Ireland and Leinster lock.
The 1.98 metre, 113kg second-row simply should not be able to move at the speed he does, and questions must now be asked as to whether he is human or not.
The 23-year-old exhibited that unreal pace he possesses against Munster on Saturday in the United Rugby Championship semi-final, running in for what he thought was a try from 50 metres out. Save for a knock on from teammate Tommy O’Brien in the build up, the lock would have scored one of the most frightening tries of the season.
No Munster player came close to him until a last gasp tackle from fullback Mike Haley, which was unsuccessful. The fullback had to at least try and tackle Baird after the Leinster man had pulled out an audacious goose step on his way to the line. Then again, given the speed he was running at, it is understandable if Haley was not too keen on making the tackle.
Take a look at the run:
Never mind the no try Ryan Baird just chucked in a goose step on his way to the try line from 50 metres!
Serious gas from the Leinster second row, he really is such a quality athlete. #LEIvMUN pic.twitter.com/dayglfxH5S
— Stuart McAvoy (@stuart__mcavoy) May 13, 2023
