Ryan gets break after ‘torrid trench warfare’ in Paris

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt is hopeful rising second-row star James Ryan will be back in training next week in preparation to face Wales after standing him down for Saturday’s Six Nations visit of Italy to Dublin.

Citing the heavy workload the 21-year-old Leinster lock got through in last Saturday’s victory over France in Paris on his Six Nations debut, head coach Schmidt omitted Ryan from this Saturday’s second-round matchday squad.

Devin Toner has been recalled from the bench last weekend to start in his 55th Test for Ireland with Quinn Roux promoted to the replacements as his Connacht team-mate Ultan Dillane withdrew due to a family bereavement.