Ryan embraces support role

So near but yet so far.

Donnacha Ryan will be in Paris on Saturday evening but no one would be more surprised than he if he had an active role to play in Ireland’s bid for the Six Nations championship.

The Munster second row, just three games into a comeback from minor knee surgery, will be in the Ireland camp this morning when Joe Schmidt confirms his match-day squad for the title decider with France but, having opposed Paul O’Connell, Devin Toner and Iain Henderson in training these last two weeks, he knows he will probably have to bide his time a little longer before he pulls on an Ireland jersey once more.