James Ryan backs 'serious athlete' Edwin Edogbo to make impact in Paris

Ireland open their Six Nations campaign against France on Thursday.

Mon, 02 Feb, 2026 - 01:03

Simon Lewis

James Ryan believes the addition of Edwin Edogbo to the second row selection mix will be a big benefit to Ireland’s ability to combat French forward firepower in Paris this Thursday night.

Edogbo, 23, could be in line to earn his Test debut in the Guinness Six Nations opener at Stade de France after impressing on the training field at last week’s training camp in Portugal, his first involvement in an Irish set-up since he wore the green jersey for the Ireland Under-18 Clubs side against Italy.

Two serious Achilles’ tendon injuries have restricted his opportunities since but his latest comeback, which began last October, has catapulted the Munsterman from Cobh Pirates to the verge of a taste of international rugby and Ryan has liked what he has seen.

“He's hit the ground running really well here,” the 76-cap lock said on Sunday. “He's a serious athlete and since he's come back from that long layoff with the injuries he's had, he's been really impressive. He's been great since he's come in.

“There's so much competition now in the second row, in the back five really. There's great variety there in terms of the different athletes we have.

“Obviously you've got someone like Joe (McCarthy) or Edwin who are unbelievably powerful players. Then someone like a Tadhg Beirne who's almost like a back row the way he plays as well. I think we all complement each other pretty well.

“The competition hopefully can be a great thing for us and keep pushing all of us on.”

Ireland’s pack will need to be at the peak of its powers this Thursday night if they are to stop France getting on a roll with their set-piece and mauls in front of their raucous support at a sold-out Stade de France under the lights.

“France are driving more than any other team in the world at the moment,” Ryan said. “That lineout drive and the scrum is a huge part of their DNA and probably something that gives them a lot of belief.

“So it's a big challenge for us as well up front in terms of the set-piece. We're unbelievably excited about that” France’s ability to mix up their lineout from a long menu of plays and a likely plethora of jumpers makes for a difficult set-piece for Ryan and company to defend and the 29-year-old added: “They do have a lot of variety in their lineout attack. For us, it's making sure that we do our homework on them and we have a clear plan.

“But also, you don't want to overthink it and overdo it either. We've got to get our own principles right and make sure that we don't move too far away from that as well.

“Their lineout was a strength for them last year. I think they won 95-100 per cent of lineout ball. It's a big part of their game and it was definitely a strength of theirs last year.

“It probably makes it more difficult to win the ball. Usually, they tend to pick a big lock in the second row as well, (Emmanuel) Meafou or someone like that, but the set-piece will be a huge part of the game this week. Going away from home, scrum and lineout, France will probably fancy themselves there, so we've got to make sure that we're all over that part of the game this week.”