Ryan again ready to answer Ireland’s call
“I’m only a telephone call away,” said the tenacious Munster second row yesterday.
Yet, Ryan’s main focus as he gets back into shape after injury is to spur Munster’s Heineken Cup and RaboPro12 League campaigns.
Obviously the prospect of getting back on the international stage would be enticing, but Ryan repeated that he is biding his time: “I’m just focusing on playing for Munster to be honest. We’re playing some very positive stuff, throwing the ball around really well and everybody’s in good spirits. We’re really focused on trying to finish well in this Rabo League and try to keep the momentum going.
“From my point of view, it’s just keep playing and keep playing and keep playing well and do the basics well and do the best for Munster. That’s our priority without getting too far ahead of ourselves. To be fair, I’ve been in this situation all my career and I don’t look too far ahead. You can only look at what’s in front of you really because you’ll only get disappointed or frustrated (if you don’t).
“At the moment I’m in an extremely happy place, feeling so fresh and just raring to get going. The more games I can play the better from my point of view.
“To be honest (after my injury), my goal was to get back playing for Munster, so now as far as I’m concerned if they need me they have my number.”
Ryan added: “I made the most of it when I was out injured trying to keep up swimming and cycling and rowing because I was unable to do a lot of running.
“I’m really enjoying playing at the moment. I looked at the GPS scores from the Zebre game and they were one of the highest I’ve had in a long time before I was out, so it’s very encouraging.”
His exclusion from the Ireland RBS Six Nations squad has been a bonus for the Pro12 leaders, their most recent showing an impressive away victory to Ospreys last weekend.
In advance of another tough assignment against Llanelli this weekend, Ryan’s availability is of huge importance to Munster. But, the bad injury news for the province is that back-up scrum-half Cathal Sheridan has been ruled out for up to three months after breaking a bone in his hand at the Liberty Stadium.
Although that bumps up Duncan Williams and Gerry Hurley in the pecking order behind Conor Murray, it could pose a problem for Munster down the line.
Munster may eventually be forced to opt for cover although Penney, for now, is happy to hang tough.
Meanwhile, hooker Damian Varley could be back in contention this weekend after concussion ruled him out for the last three weeks.
With a mini-crisis at hooker following a serious injury to Mike Sherry, Quentin McDonald is now in the equation after his arrival from New Zealand to take up a three-month temporary contract.
He could have fitness issues having been inactive in recent weeks, but Penney believes he will add a lot to the Munster effort.
Penney admitted he hadn’t worked a lot with the 25-year-old and that it wasn’t an ideal situation. However, the coach still talked up the newcomer: “He is an explosive, dynamic, individual with a lot of qualities; his ball-carrying, his defence are all really robust and he could do really well here,” said Penney.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
