'I was managed quite a lot' - James Ryan on his rapid injury turnaround
Stand-in Ireland captain James Ryan hopes to shake off the lingering injury issues that have affected him in recent months once he completes his international duties next weekend.
The Leinster lock was a doubt for Saturday afternoon’s hard-fought 39-31 Test victory over Japan because of an adductor problem that seemed to scupper a place of linking up with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa.
However, Ryan was passed fit and led Ireland out in front of 3,000 supporters at the Aviva Stadium as regular skipper Johnny Sexton has been rested for the summer assignments alongside Keith Earls and Cian Healy.
Ireland now turn their attention to a clash against the United States next Saturday, which will mark the end of a long and at times frustrating campaign for Ryan, who is determined to use the off-season to his advantage.
“The last couple of weeks I was managed quite a lot, a credit to the physios for getting me back, it was a huge honour to lead the boys,” Ryan said.
“At times throughout the season I’ve had niggles and little breaks in the game, I probably haven’t been able to put games and weeks together the way I would have liked.
“After these next couple of games it will be a good window for myself to work on little niggles so I can commit fully physically into next season and beyond.
“But leading the boys was a huge honour and we’re really happy with the result.”
With seven of their contingent on Lions duty, plus the senior trio of Sexton, Earls and Healy absent, there was a fresh look to Ireland for their first meeting against the Brave Blossoms since the 2019 World Cup pool stages.
On that occasion, the tournament hosts sprung a major surprise in Shizuoka but despite an error-strewn first-half showing in Dublin, Ireland went in at the interval 19-17 ahead before a better outing after the break.
Chris Farrell, Stuart McCloskey, Finlay Bealham, Josh Van Der Flier and Jacob Stockdale touched down while Joey Carbery added the extras to four tries before two late penalties ultimately took the wind out of Japan’s sails.
“The game in 2019 was one of the toughest games I’ve played,” Ryan added. “Thankfully it wasn’t as humid in Dublin as it was in Shizuoka!
“When you saw this game on the fixture list you knew it was going to be a very tough day and that’s exactly what it was.
“Their attack is their point of difference, really, their organisation, their knowhow, so it was very, very tough out there.
“We were certainly blowing pretty heavy, particularly in the first half, but I thought it was a great effort defensively at times.
“We did concede 31 points but we stuck in there, I thought the guys that came off the bench had a great impact, a great energy which was big for us in that last quarter. A good learning for us all-round.
“It’s the first time we’ve had our fans in 18 months in the Aviva. Even 3,000 makes a massive difference for us.”
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments