Ryan embracing the future

NOT so long after establishing himself as a senior figure in the Munster squad, Donnacha Ryan is battling to stay there in the face of what he describes as “ferocious” competition.

Munster Rugby might well be perceived as being in transition, but Ryan believes the future is bright and describes up-and-coming players like Peter O’Mahony and Paddy Butler as being hugely competitive, not to mention accepting that competition is coming from other quarters too.

O’Mahony, however, is the one that springs to mind most in recent Munster rugby discussions, and Ryan can understand why: “I’ve been mistaken for Peter a few times — people coming up and calling me Peter. The way he’s playing I think it’s a massive, massive compliment!