James Ryan: Ireland's 'best performance in quite a while' needed against South Africa

The second row admitted Ireland have had a "mixed campaign" in November. 

An Irish lineout which misfired against New Zealand and South Africa had a marked improvement against Australia. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

James Ryan is relishing the opportunity for Ireland to deliver their most complete performance of the month against the best team in the world when South Africa visit Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The British & Irish Lions lock believes Ireland are coming out on the right side of a mixed autumn campaign following their 46-19 win over Australia, which followed incremental improvements since their November 1 loss to New Zealand.

"I think we are little bit closer to where we want to be," Ryan said on Tuesday. "We've had a little bit of a mixed campaign. We definitely started poorly against New Zealand and we were much better against Japan, better again against Australia.

"So for us, this weekend is just about putting it all together and it's going to need definitely our most complete performance yet.

"South Africa are a team that challenge you in every part of the game, in the air, on the ground. It's going to need to be our best performance in quite a while.

"It's hugely exciting for us. They are the best team in the world. We love to come to down so we can't wait."

Ryan, 29 and in line to make his 76th appearance for Ireland if he retains his place in the second row alongside Tadhg Beirne, has a potential reunion with Springboks centurion Eben Etzebeth, a rival he greatly admires.

"He's tough to play against. I think he's sort of the complete player. He's very good in the air in terms of his line of defence. But around the park as well, he's very effective on both sides of the ball.

"He’s a good carrier, very fit. And then defensively, he's brilliant, he likes a charge down. So he can sort of do it all, really. 

"He's been one of the best in the world for a long time, so it's very exciting to come up against him."

Ryan was part of an Irish lineout unit which got its mojo back last weekend with a much improved return against the Australians after a great deal of inconsistency against both New Zealand and Japan. The timing could not have been better in advance of facing possibly the best lineout defence in world rugby.

"Their set-piece is so strong and their lineout D is brilliant," Ryan said, "so when it comes to our lineout, it's such a big part of the game, it gives us points, allows us to build pressure, gives us a platform, so you need to invest a huge amount of time when you are coming up against South Africa in that part of the game."

For Ryan, the same applies to the levels of physicality Ireland will need if they are to live with the back-to-back world champions. The lock admitted his side had been outmuscled in their opening Test of the November window against New Zealand and said: "It is a big part of the game. We need to have that every week. It's getting the balance right between the plan and making sure we bring that physical intent as well.

"It's something we lacked when we first came in together in that first game against the All Blacks. It is something you have to get right when you play South Africa. It's as simple as that."