Ryan relishing Munster’s expansive style

JOHN Ryan is able to focus on his job right now because, apart from time with the family, going to work is all he’s able to do.

Although everyone in Irish rugby is having to limit their contacts in order to keep the show on the road, the Munster prop is in the at-risk category for Covid-19 as a result of the inflammatory bowel disease he suffers from.

“I would be one of those ‘at risk’ people,” he said. “I was told by my doctor at the start and as we were just getting back into things to be careful and to possibly not go back so soon but I just came back when everyone did and took those extra precautions.

“I made sure that I was surrounded by people that I could trust, like my family. There was no going out into the public as much. I was just being a bit extra careful but I have been pretty good so far anyway.”

With a young family, he’s got his hands full anyway and after earning an Ireland recall in November the 32-year-old prop is enjoying strong form in a resurgent Munster team.

“I made a goal in lockdown to work hard. I got an operation during it and I just rehabbed that and my goal was to get back into the Irish set-up,” he said.

“I got in there and I felt like I had all the momentum but that it was just stopped in its tracks by not getting a nod for the first four games. I only got in for the last two games so it was stalled a bit.

“I’ve come back now and just got the two games with Munster and coming off the bench, but I need to build that momentum again and do better next time.”

The province are flying high and go to Belfast this Saturday in excellent form. And Ryan is enjoying the expansive way they’re playing.

“It’s very exciting because they’re challenging everyone to get their hands on the ball whereas before we would have had... I wouldn’t say it was nominated ball-carriers, but there were lads who put their hands up more than others,” he said.