John Ryan an overnight success six seasons in the making

John Ryan and Munster have followed similar paths over the last couple of seasons and they both go into today’s Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens on an upward trajectory.

A year ago, both were merely finding their feet, the tighthead prop beginning to cement his position as the starting number three just as Anthony Foley’s side were emerging from their terrible run and getting their act together for one last, desperate push for Champions Cup qualification.

It all seems a very long time ago as Munster under the guidance of Rassie Erasmus and driven by the memory of the late Foley have powered into the semis of both the European competition and the Guinness PRO12 while Ryan, 28, now has six Ireland caps to his name and is the rock of his province’s scrum.