Ryan using setback to his advantage

AT THE time, it was the biggest disappointment that he had suffered in his fledgling career, but little did Charlie Ryan know that it would prove to be the start of a steep learning curve.

Belvedere College had just beaten Blackrock to retain their Senior Cup title and after the lineout faltered, Ryan knew it played a major role in his side losing out.

Now running the Ireland U-20s set-piece with great effect, the towering lock can reflect on that 2017 final and realise that it spurred him on.

“I put a lot of time into studying other teams,” Ryan says.

“It’s quite a lot, but I really enjoy it. I’ve been doing it since school, so I guess that prepares you for it at this level.

“If you get the calls wrong it can really affect the team, really affect the launch. Looking back at my school days, we had an SCT final against Belvo, lineout didn’t really function. We lost and that didn’t help us.

“Ever since that day I always spend an extra few minutes looking at the other team and how they defend.”

Ryan will need to be on his toes on Friday night as France arrive in Irish Independent Park looking to derail Ireland’s U-20 Grand Slam hopes. “There was a belief going into the England game but now it has been consolidated and it is even stronger,” he added.

“We don’t have to worry about France, we just have to concentrate on getting ourselves right. We know if we do that we will have enough. It’s a really great feeling knowing that, if you get yourself right, you will win.”