SO FAR IT HAS BEEN ALL FUN & JAMES..
FROM string bean to giant of Irish rugby – James Ryan’s rise has been spectacular.
Rated as a real prospect from an early age, 21-year-old Ryan has been the poster boy for a remarkable year for the game here.
A former Ireland under-20 captain, he made his Test debut last summer before his senior Leinster debut.
Less than 12 months on, the second row has collected a Grand Slam and a Champions Cup – the consequence of a professional record of 21 wins from 21 games.
Ireland veteran Cian Healy remembers first clapping eyes on Ryan in their native Clontarf.
“He was a string bean,” grinned Healy.
“He was skinny, tall, talented.
“But you don’t know. It’s how people step up to the plate.
“When you saw him do that, it was jaw dropping at the start. You say, ‘Hold on a second, he doesn’t look like he can do what he’s doing’. It’s class.
“Eventually he’ll lose a game and we’ll pick him up and dust him off and send him out again.”
Healy added: “He’s spoken about so much and that tells a lot about the character he is.
“He’s just blended in and dragged people together.”
Luke Mcgrath (below), who was four years ahead of the man known as ‘Cheese’ in Dublin school St Michael’s, added: “It’s hard to describe ‘Cheese’. He’s got a special mind-set. He’s incredibly determined.
“He’s a freak. His record is incredibly impressive. I remember seeing him in school, knowing he was going to be some player. He’s incredible.”
Leinster supremo Leo Cullen said: “He’s a great pro already – a wise head as well.
“He has good family support around him, which is important.
“He takes everything in his stride.
“It’s a pretty remarkable story, not to have lost a game.
“Bloody hell, the numbers he’s able to deliver on a regular basis... training-wise as well as all of the games. “We’re lucky to have him. He’s a special talent.
“It’s just important to manage him because you want guys who can play for Leinster and Ireland for a long time.”