Ryan provided vital inspiration for Racing, says Nyanga

Racing 92 star Yannick Nyanga admitted his side might not have beaten Munster without the presence of Donnacha Ryan.

Ryan, 34, left his home province last summer for Paris after failing to secure a central IRFU contract, and the Nenagh lock made his presence felt at the U Arena yesterday as he gave his old side a taste of what they have missed, playing a significant part in securing two late penalties that tipped the balance in this entertaining Champions Cup pool game.

Ryan was part of a powerful Racing pack which won all the key collisions in the early parts of both halves, during which the Parisians scored crucial tries that laid the platform for their 34-30 victory.