James Ryan hitting old heights as Leinster and Ireland brace for the big games

Ryan’s form is a major plus for stand-in Ireland head coach Simon Easterby who is due to name his Six Nations squad on Wednesday afternoon. So too will be the boost earned by his Leinster and Munster players after gritty wins over the weekend.

HITTING OLD HEIGHTS: Leinster's James Ryan is finding form of old ahead of Interim Ireland Head Coach Simon Easterby's Ireland squad announcements. Picture: ©INPHO/Andrew Conan

It’s only natural to focus on the talent spilling off the bench when it is RG Snyman, Jack Conan and Rabah Slimani taking to the field. One is a World Cup winner, another started the last three Tests for the British and Irish Lions and the third is a multi-capped Frenchmen.

This is the trio Leinster called on 47 minutes into their Investec Champions Cup win away to La Rochelle on Sunday. This being Leinster, though, the identity of those coming off was just as interesting.