In fairness to Donnacha Ryan, he will have been well aware of the consequences he would face upon leaving Munster Rugby.
The move has not been officially announced by either Racing 92 or Munster yet but Ryan is set to be playing his club rugby in France’s Top 14 next season.
Next Saturday, the Tipperary native is expected to line out at Thomond Park as a Munster player for the last time. Ospreys are coming to Limerick for a Guinness PRO12 semi final and Ryan will be determined to get past them to make the May 27 final at the Aviva Stadium.
Ronan O’Gara and Mike McCarthy both weighed in on the subject of Ryan’s international future on The Hard Yards rugby podcast [from 22:30]. With Joe Schmidt considering some younger locks for the summer tour to America and Japan, this could be it for Ryan.
During an interview with RTE’s Michael Corcoran, last month, Schmidt stressed that any players seeking to play rugby abroad would surely be aware of the implications it would have on their Test future.
With that in mind, it was suggested to O’Gara and McCarthy that Schmidt should be looking beyond Ryan already. “Why wouldn’t they take Donnacha Ryan on tour?” McCarthy asked.
“He’s young enough for the next World Cup [in 2019] and what an excellent season he’s had.”
O’Gara then commented:
“I wouldn’t think Joe Schmidt would be looking at it like that. Because, as Mike said, they guy is quality and he has proven it over a long period of time. He’s always going to be a potential [second row] option.
“What may happen over the summer is Joe may look at different options to see what cover and potential he has there. They are going to be hard Tests but, I think, for someone like Donnacha Ryan you know exactly who is is and what he can do. Maybe it might be more beneficial for him to sit out.
“I’m not too sure if he is part of the plans for the 2019 World Cup… but it may be an opportunity to go with the younger guys as well. They are three really important Tests… and this is a really important environment for them to grow.”
Interestingly, if Schmidt is tempted to go for youth, he could look at a Leinster player who is turning out for Munster this weekend as he returns to match fitness:
Ireland U20s line out as follows today. Just one addition to Munster Development side with Leinster's James Ryan starting in second row pic.twitter.com/Ca9tg5AHQS
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 13, 2017
The provinces working together as the Leinster man looks to get some game time post injury. #FourProudProvinces
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 13, 2017
McCarthy was glowing in his praise of former Ireland U20 captain, and talisman, Ryan. He said:
“James Ryan has been re-habbing [from his hamstring injury] and has put on some serious size. He’s an amazing prospect.
“He’s back fit, training and playing now. I think next season he will emerge as a great player. I’m not sure if it’s too early for him to go on tour as he is just back from his injury but he is definitely going to be a massive player.”
Ulster’s Kieran Treadwell and Leinster’s Ross Molony, who McCarthy has also praised, have both been mentioned as live options ahead of next week’s touring squad announcement.
