Ryan building up steam in Munster engine room

When it comes to dishing out plaudits, prop forwards are rarely if ever at the top of the pecking order.

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.