James Ryan (rugby union, born 1996)

James Ryan
Ryan representing Ireland during the Six Nations Championship
Full nameJames John Ryan
Date of birth (1996-07-24) 24 July 1996 (age 28)
Place of birthBlackrock, Ireland
Height2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)[1]
Weight116 kg (256 lb; 18 st 4 lb)
SchoolSt. Michael's College
UniversityUniversity College Dublin
Notable relative(s)James Ryan (great-grandfather)[2]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Current team Leinster
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017 Munster 1 (0)
2017– Leinster 72 (20)
Correct as of 4 May 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016 Ireland U20 9 (10)
2017– Ireland 66 (25)
Correct as of 15 November 2024

James John Ryan (born 24 July 1996) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club Leinster and the Ireland national team.[3][4]

Early life

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James Ryan's prime is often regarded to be on the 'mugger'/'cage' by his fellow classmates in secondary school. Legend has it, he tried so hard because scouts were always watching. Recently, he denied these claims and said he plays good regularly, not just for scouts. He shrugged and swiftly moved on from the interviewer.

Ryan was captain of the Ireland U20 team throughout the 2015–16 season, leading them to their best ever finish at the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, where they beat New Zealand U20 for the first time ever, eventually finishing as runners-up to England U20.

Professional career

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Ryan was granted a place in Leinster's academy for the 2016–17 season, but injury meant his season was badly disrupted. Nonetheless, he was given a full senior contract ahead of the 2017–18 season, despite having completed only one of the normal three academy years.[5]

Ryan lined out for a Munster development side against the Ireland U20 team in Thomond Park on his way back from a hamstring injury to gain valuable game time ahead of Ireland's summer tour to Japan.

Ryan made his competitive debut for Leinster on 2 September 2017, coming off the bench in the provinces opening 2017–18 Pro14 win against Dragons and playing for 21 minutes.[6]

In November 2023 Ryan was named Leinster club co-captain alongside Garry Ringrose following the retirement of Johnny Sexton.[7] During his time as co-captain, Ryan experienced some difficulties such as referees refusing to interact with him due to excessive communication.[8][9] After holding this role for a season, they were replaced by Caelan Doris for the 2024 season.[10]

International career

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Ryan played for Ireland before making his competitive debut for Leinster in September 2017.[11] Joe Schmidt called Ryan up to the senior Ireland squad for the first time ahead of the 2017 Summer Tour to the United States and Japan.[12] On 10 June, in the one-off test against the United States, Ryan made his debut for Ireland, coming off the bench and scoring a try.[13] In making his debut, Ryan became the first Irish player since Michael Bent in 2012 to make his senior Ireland debut before making his provincial debut.[14]

He captained Ireland for the first time in their loss to England in the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup.

Career statistics

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Ryan makes a break during the 2023 Six Nations.

International analysis by opposition

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Opposition Played Win Loss Draw Tries Points Win %
 Argentina 3 3 0 0 0 0 100%
 Australia 4 3 1 0 0 0 75%
 England 7 4 3 0 0 0 57.14%
 France 6 4 2 0 0 0 66.67%
 Georgia 1 1 0 0 0 0 100%
 Italy 4 4 0 0 1 5 100%
 Japan 4 3 1 0 0 0 75%
 New Zealand 6 4 2 0 0 0 66.67%
 Romania 1 1 0 0 0 0 100%
 Samoa 2 2 0 0 0 0 100%
 Scotland 8 8 0 0 1 5 100%
 South Africa 3 3 0 0 0 0 100%
 Tonga 1 1 0 0 0 0 100%
 United States 2 2 0 0 1 5 100%
 Wales 10 8 2 0 2 10 80%
Career 62 51 11 0 5 25 82.26%

as of 25 February 2024[15]

Honours

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Individual
Leinster
Ireland

Personal life

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He is the great-grandson of Irish politician and Easter Rising revolutionary James Ryan.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Senior Players".
  2. ^ "James Ryan: The great-grandson of a 1916 Easter Rising rebel". The42. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Turning Japanese? Leinster's James Ryan lines out for Munster against Ireland U20s ahead of summer tour". The42. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  4. ^ "James Ryan". AllRugby. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Leinster lock Ryan lines out for Munster on injury return". Irish Independent. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Report: Dragons 16 Leinster 39". Leinster Rugby. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Leinster announce Garry Ringrose and James Ryan as co-captains". the42.ie. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  8. ^ https://www.offtheball.com/rugby/referees-control-la-rochelle-leinster-wood-1623962
  9. ^ https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/champions-cup/tone-of-voice-is-going-to-be-important-leinster-will-speak-to-james-ryan-about-ref-dealings-in-the-future/a805811141.html
  10. ^ https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/2024/09/12/caelan-doris-named-leinster-rugby-captain/
  11. ^ "Turning Japanese? Leinster's James Ryan lines out for Munster against Ireland U20s ahead of summer tour". The42. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Eight Uncapped Players In Ireland Summer Tour Squad". Irish Rugby. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  13. ^ "Earls Excels As Ireland Kick Off Tour With New Jersey Win". Irish Rugby. 11 June 2017. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Ireland set to announce shock summer tour inclusion". SportsJoe. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  15. ^ "James Ryan". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  16. ^ "All 30 of Ireland's Grand Slam contributors rated - but one man comes out on top". Irish Independent. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  17. ^ "Ireland beat 14-man England in finale to win Six Nations Grand Slam". ESPN. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  18. ^ "James Ryan: The great-grandson of a 1916 Easter Rising rebel". The42. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
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