Donnacha Ryan: Enjoyment is for those watching in the pub

As much as he enjoyed beating the best team in world rugby, Donnacha Ryan would gladly swap all the slaps on the back for another victory over the All Blacks this weekend.

Second-row Ryan, an integral part of an impressive tight-five performance that took the fight to the world champions in Ireland’s 40-29 victory in Chicago a fortnight ago, will face the All Blacks for the second time in three weeks tomorrow at Aviva Stadium.

Yet, while the nation continues to glory in their success at Soldier Field and the end of an 111-year wait for victory over New Zealand, the Munster forward and his colleagues will delay the partying for a while yet.