James Ryan looks to bring athleticism to Ireland U20s

Joe Schmidt may have made it a mission to expand Ireland’s strength in depth at Test level but it still takes little to reveal just how thin on the ground are those players who are eligible, ready and able to wear the green jersey.

Tight head used to be the apex of our nightmares in that regard but the penance of praying for the well-being of a John Hayes or Mike Ross has been eased somewhat, with the emergence of younger props such as Marty Moore and Tadhg Furlong.

Injuries do leave Schmidt light on that side of the front row ahead of the Six Nations opener with Wales but Ross’s enforced absence is still not quite the cataclysm it once would have been. These days it is a shortage of second rows that causes most furrowed brows.

Much has been made of the loss to the squad of Paul O’Connell’s leadership and talismanic qualities but it was his abilities as a world-class lock — and an ability to improve his all-round game in recent years — that earned him his aura and which will be most missed. The cupboard isn’t bare but it is a harsh winter away from starvation rations.

Schmidt named five locks in his squad for the opening two Six Nations rounds and if one of Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner, or Mike McCarthy get injured, then we are looking at the uncapped Ultan Dillane making his debut or Rhys Ruddock being transferred from the back row.

Schmidt has often stressed the point that the Six Nations is no environment for callow youth or experimentation. So that tells us exactly how stretched Ireland are for suitable muscle in the middle of their pack, even if this weak spot isn’t anything new to these shores.

Leinster launched an unlikely campaign back in 2011. Entitled ‘Route 6’6”’, it was aimed at finding potential second rows of the requisite size and the potential playing ability from beyond the traditional borders of rugby country.

We’re not aware of any hidden gems unearthed so it is just as well that the odd youngster like James Ryan is still emerging, in his case, from two-time Leinster Schools Cup champions St Michael’s. Ryan will captain the Ireland U20s against Wales at Donnybrook on Friday when a home pack bigger and beefier than supporters are accustomed to seeing at this level will attempt to claim a rare win over the principality’s youngsters in recent times.

His father played back row for Leinster and has dabbled at six himself down the years. Those experiences have helped him to fashion a more rounded, athletic game, but he was only ever going to specialise in one position given he now stands 6’ 8” in height.

It’s a demanding slot and one that demands great height and considerable weight. Luckily, he packs both and works regularly on other aspects such as his handling though he believes any improvements to be targeted will centre on this most basic of chores.

“I think (in) the fundamental parts of the game, like set-piece,” he explained. “I’ve got to be a decent lineout player and work on my scrum profile. Around the park, the best second rows are guys like Eben Etzebeth and Courtney Lawes. They all have great work rates and cover a lot of ground, put in a lot of tackles, hit a lot of rucks. Then you want to have that bit of athleticism, add a bit of ball carrying to your game, ideally. That’s the areas I focus on.”