The young man is clearly determined to finish the season unbeaten, and with another trophy.
If you include Ireland’s summer tours to America and Japan as part of 2017/18, James Ryan has 21 wins and 0 defeats in his first full year of professional rugby.
The 21-year-old has already won himself a Grand Slam and a Champions Cup and is not finished yet. He is gunning for his first ever league winners’ medal and lined up against a determined Munster side in the Guinness PRO14 semi-final at The RDS.
James Lowe teed up Jack Conan for Leinster’s first try but Ryan was, far and away, the best player on the park. This, of course, is following on from his man-of-the-match display in last weekend’s Champions Cup final against Racing 92.
It's the hosts who strike first in the Guinness PRO14 semi-final 🏉
@JackConan1 opens the scoring for Leinster Rugby against Munster Rugby after some great running by @jameslowenz 💪
Watch it live now on @SkySports Action and @SportTG4 📺#GUINNESSPRO14 pic.twitter.com/60Rld2rmc2
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 19, 2018
In the opening half, Ryan forced a turnover with a shuddering tackle on Jean Kleyn and, five minutes later, sat Billy Holland down and set off on a 30-metre carry up the pitch. His 46 metres gained off five carries was second only to the lively Lowe. He landed nine successful tackles too.
Needless to say, fans were raving about his impact again.
As an opposing supporter James Ryan is an absolute animal to watch! He is gonna be special
— 50 shades of Jai (@no_bellybutton) May 19, 2018
James Ryan is a phenom
— LG (@flash___g) May 19, 2018
JJ needs to be slotting those
James Ryan is pulling the piss with his talent
Arnold's tackle on Lowe was outstanding
Fun game for us neutrals #LEIvMUN #pro14— The 2nd Row (@the2ndRow) May 19, 2018
James Ryan is the best second row in the world after less than 30 games. What will be become its mind Blowing ??? #LEIvMUN
— Ronan Grace (@RonanjGrace) May 19, 2018
The half did not go quite as well for Munster fullback Simon Zebo.
Off to Racing 92 this summer, Zebo was stepped with ease by Lowe before that Conan try and missed him again when their paths crossed soon after.
Zebo’s best contribution of the opening half saw him glide by Garry Ringrose and look to set up Keith Earls for a clean dart at the Leinster tryline. His pass was slightly behind Earls, though, and went out of play.
To make matters worse, play was called back for a penalty but JJ Hanrahan snatched at his kick and it drifted wide. Some fans were frustrated at his return in a vital game for his side.
https://twitter.com/S_OCearbhaill/status/997846757420752897
@jameslowenz is so deep in @SimonZebo head right now! #leinster
— CONOR MORRIS (@ConorMorris13) May 19, 2018
The end of Simon Zebo’s Munster career has definitely been the longest goodbye. #LEIvMUN
— Gavin Sunderland (@gav_sunderland) May 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/Darren_PH/status/997845761449775104
The contest is a lively one and Zebo is a player that can still produce the goods, as he has proved on countless occasions in the past.
