Blow for Munster as John Ryan handed three-game suspension

With Oli Jager recovering from knee surgery he underwent last week, and Roman Salanoa a long-term injury absentee, Munster will rely on Stephen Archer as their only available senior tighthead prop.

Thu, 04 Apr, 2024 - 12:13

Simon Lewis

Munster’s preparations for this Sunday’s Champions Cup knockout clash at Northampton Saints have been rocked by a three-game suspension for tighthead prop John Ryan.

The veteran front-rower was cited following last Saturday’s 20-15 URC victory over Cardiff at Thomond Park during which he was yellow carded for foul play after a tip tackle on Cardiff captain and hooker Liam Belcher.

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Ryan’s punishment has not ended there, though, the Munster player subsequently cited by the match citing commissioner with the resulting independent disciplinary process finding the incident of foul play merited a red card.

The disciplinary panel overseeing the process, chaired by Scotland’s Robert Milligan heard that Ryan accepted he had committed an act of foul play but that it had not warranted a red card but that panel decided otherwise and that it did meet the World Rugby threshold, with entry of low-range warranting a six-game suspension.

However, the panel reduced the suspension to three games, due to Ryan’s good disciplinary record, apology and exemplary conduct in the hearing.

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In addition to this Sunday’s Round of 16 tie at Franklin’s Gardens, Ryan will also miss a potential quarter-final against either the Bulls or Lyon the following weekend, should Munster win in Northampton.

If Munster get knocked out he will miss both of URC champions’ games in the subsequent weeks on their tour to South Africa.

The tighthead will definitely miss the first, against the Bulls in Pretoria on April 20 and if there is no Champions Cup quarter-final, he will also be forced to sit out the following week’s game at the Lions in Johannesburg on April 27.

With Oli Jager recovering from knee surgery he underwent last week, and Roman Salanoa a long-term injury absentee, Munster will rely on Stephen Archer as their only available senior tighthead prop.

Ryan's ban will cover the following fixtures: