Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DONNACHA MADE THE DECISION
Boss: Ryan was offered a deal, we worked hard to keep him
JOE SCHMIDT insists everything was done to keep Donnacha Ryan at Munster but the big lock wanted to broaden his horizons.
It was speculated that Ryan, who wasn’t selected for Ireland’s summer tour to the US and Japan after deciding on a move to Racing 92, was unhappy with the initial Munster contract he was offered. But IRFU sources insist the move is more of a lifestyle choice for the experienced second row, inset, than a financial one. Schmidt has revealed that he tried to persuade the 33-year-old to remain in Ireland two years out from the World Cup. “I’ve a huge amount of respect for him, and you make your best pitch,” said the Ireland head coach. “But he’s a very clever man and knows his own mind. “You present your argument, he presents his and you present another argument, just to try! “There’s personal reasons, some professional reasons, and some broadening opportunity that’s been part of it.” It’s understood there wasn’t much between the IRFU central contract that Ryan was on until the end of last season and the final offer made by Munster and the IRFU – though technically it wasn’t another central contract. “He was definitely offered a contract,” added Schmidt. “I don’t think it’s a massive financial difference or was far off his old one. “People definitely worked hard to keep him – I know the phone calls I made and the discussions I had. “There’s always going to be a financial difference but, for me, I’d rather be excited talking about the guys we have got here now and that fantastic opportunity.” One veteran – Devin Toner – does travel, while Connacht’s Quinn Roux has Test experience. His club colleague Ultan Dillane doesn’t travel to the States on Monday, but up and coming locks James Tyan and Kieran Treadwell will be on the plane. The Ireland boss added: “The other thing with Donnacha is he’ll be 35-36 by the time the World Cup comes about. “I know age is just a number – and not the most important number, which is how many line-outs you win clean or rucks you hit well, or effective tackles you make. “We play South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in November. If we need the kind of grit, strength and experience that Donnacha brings then that we may involve him again then. “But we think this is a real opportunity for young guys.” Schmidt stated that the “door is never closed” for anyone plying their trade abroad. But as Ian Madigan and new Scarlets star Tadhg Beirne know, selection while in exile becomes, as Schmidt admits, “a very difficult calculation”. He acknowledged that it’s far from 50-50 if there’s also an Irish-based player available for selection. “It might be more 70-30, 75-25,” said Schmidt. “But players are aware of that – and players aren’t robots, either.”