James Ryan: Time for Ireland to talk the talk and silence the doubters

James Ryan (right) went 24-0 for club and country before finally tasting defeat at senior level when Australia squeaked the first of three summer Tests at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in 2018. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland

James Ryan has never shirked a challenge on the field of play but there was a tendency to recoil whenever his undefeated run as a young professional came up in the post-match conversation.

The Leinster and Ireland second row went 24-0 for club and country before finally tasting defeat at senior level when Australia squeaked the first of three summer Tests at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in 2018.