Falcons swoop for former Munster and Ireland starlet Ryan

FORMER Munster and Ireland U19 prop Tim Ryan has quit big-spending French club Toulon a year early to try to carve out a first-team place at Newcastle Falcons.

Ryan has gone in the opposite direction to Falcons tight-head legend Carl Hayman, who joined Toulon this summer, and is seeking to finally nail down a first-team place.

The 26-year-old helped Toulon reach the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup and finish second in the Top 14 last season after signing a two-year deal with the club last April.