Ryan: I thought I was better than I was

A dozen years have passed since a teenage Donnacha Ryan first pulled on a green jersey but it was the reception on his return to St Munchin’s College that has left a bigger impression.

Of all the lessons learned at the Limerick school, it was the manner in which his classmates cut what he admits was an overinflated ego down to size after his selection for provincial and national schoolboy sides that he values most.

“I thought I was better than I actually was. I’ve no problem saying that. At that age, when you come from a small town and you’re making the Nenagh Guardian, the dizzy heights, you actually think and people are telling you you’re great. I was only 17 so very gullible. When it comes too thick and fast you start thinking ‘jeez, I could be this good’. Sport is the best leveller of all, especially in rugby if a guy is getting too big for his boots, you can do him.