Ryan: I contemplated leaving Munster

Munster and Ireland second row Donnacha Ryan admitted he considered parting ways with his home province when Aviva Premiership giants Northampton Saints expressed interest in him.

This season has proved a significant one in Ryan’s career with the Nenagh man earning a regular starting place for Munster and putting in a man of the match performance in his first competitive international start against Scotland last weekend.

However, Ryan had to endure several frustrating seasons on the fringes of the Munster squad behind the experienced duo of Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan and he conceded that he was thinking about moving to the Saints after they invited him to the club.

“I went to Northampton and met (coach) Dorian West and (director of rugby) Jim Mallinder. They were lovely people and it was a great club," he told RTÉ.

"The first thing they asked me to do was to go on the weighing scales because on Munster's website my weight was 89kg. You're not much of second row if you weigh 89kg.

"It was obviously a frustrating time because all I wanted to do was play.

"But I changed tack, moved into the back row and I learned a lot there.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't contemplate moving, but I'm glad now that I didn't.”

Ryan knew that if he decided to play his club rugby overseas he would greatly reduce his chances of breaking into the national team.

Irish coaches have consistently rewarded players who play with the home provinces by favouring them when it comes to selecting the national team with the likes of Bob Casey and James Downey unfortunate to lose out.

Ryan didn’t want his international credentials to suffer the same blow and decided to stay with Munster, a decision his is now very pleased with.

“There'd be days when you'd be tearing your hair out that you didn't move, but now after starting for your country, I'm thrilled to bits.

"What made up my mind was the impact going abroad would have on my international opportunities.”

The big second row yesterday agreed a new contract which will keep him at Thomond Park until the end of the 2013/2014 season.