Ryan building up steam in Munster engine room
Half-backs, flying wings, ball carrying wing-forwards all catch the public eye.
However, for those who really appreciate the important role played by those at the coalface, Munster’s John Ryan is right up there given the manner in which he has manned the critical loose head berth in the enforced absence of James Cronin and David Kilcoyne.
Ever since his schooldays, the 26-year-old Berrings farmer has been an invaluable member of squads at CBC, UCC, Cork Constitution and Munster because of his ability to pack down on either side of the front-row of the scrum. Peter Clohessy re-activated his career by moving from tight head to loose head. Ryan too was considered a better proposition at number three, but his ability and willingness to move from right to left marks him out as a coach’s dream.
That was very much the case in the lead-up to the European Cup game away to Clermont Auvergne with Cronin and Kilcoyne out of the equation. Up against an all-international front-row that the French replenished with another group of big names within the hour, Ryan put his 6ft 1 in, 18 st 5lbs body on the line and was still to the fore at the final whistle.
“The week before, I was playing an A match against Worcester at CIT, a week later I’m over in France and that’s a huge step and I was fairly nervous,” he said. “But it was a massive opportunity. Against a team like Clermont, it was always going to be difficult. They ran the ball and kept taking quick lineouts but I’d never be intimidated going into a game. I don’t read too much into the opposition and I just focused on my own role.”
Even though Ryan made his mark at CBC, he would have been entitled to wonder where his career was going as he played second fiddle to BJ Botha and Stephen Archer on the tight side of the scrum and Cronin and Kilcoyne on the loose.
“Last year, it was predominantly tight head and now it’s a totally different game.
“Obviously, they’re different positions. I’m just learning the roles and living up to Jamesie and Dave, it’s a lot of pressure but I love it for there’s nothing better than playing. I take everything when I can get it and trying to take it with both hands as the two lads obviously did.”
Munster now turn their attentions to tomorrow’s New Year’s Day clash with Connacht and that’s going to be another test of Ryan’s progress.
“The Irish derbies have gone 100% so far for us this year and now it’s going to be difficult for us in Galway,” he accepted. “They have a serious scrum, I’ll probably be up against Rodney Ah You who’s been with Ireland and so it’s going to be a huge challenge for us and our pack. I take encouragement from the fact that Peter Clohessy moved across the scrum from tight to loose head and I take serious encouragement from the support I get around the place. The coaches have no problem with throwing me in on either side so I’m happy with that and it seems to be going well at the moment. Jerry Flannery is running the front row with BJ Botha and he’s got confidence in me.”
He continued: “I’ve just got to try to keep the two lads [Kilcoyne and Cronin] off the team.
“I just need to make sure I do enough that I can take a jersey for myself. I’ve had a few niggling injuries and a bit of a health issue, a weight problem that is being treated at the moment, I’m a bit lighter than I should be but that’s coming back and I can eat all the Christmas turkey I want.”
Meanwhile, Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor has confirmed forward Kevin McLaughlin will be sidelined for 12 weeks as he is to undergo surgery on his shoulder following an injury picked up against Connacht on December 19.
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