James Ryan has been on the radar in Irish rugby circles for a long time, but it's only now that the public are getting to see his undoubted talent.
The Irish U20 captain has been the stand-out Irish player so far, and looks set to make the leap from Leinster's sub-academy this season, to the full academy next. That would mean he'd be graduating from the Leinster academy months before the next World Cup, but based on his all action performances so far, it's hard to not see him getting a chance with Leinster before then.
Standing at 6'7'', and almost carrying the Irish team on his back, Ryan has drawn numerous comparisons with the recently departed Paul O'Connell. But the 19-year-old is keen to play down any similarities between the pair, and is completely focused on helping his team get a second victory in the campaign against Italy before facing the strong Scotland side that also beat England. Any mention of Dewi Morris' "shades of Paul O'Connell" comments bring about a sheepish thanks before he a-bit-too-quickly changes the topic to his team-mates.
Thanks. It's going okay at the moment. I'm just really enjoying playing with this bunch of lads and it's much easier to perform when we have a great set-up.
Personally I'm going okay but I'm more concerned with us pushing on as a team.
His performances are so good that Leinster forward's coach John Fogarty was asked about his talent:
He's someone that we're really aware of. He's in the sub-Academy with Dave Fagan at the moment, working way, and you can see that physicality that he's brought to his game. He's a talented player, and hopefully he can continue in that vein of form, and come in here next year and kick on.
With a gap week in the Six Nations this week, he might benefit from being included in the Leinster matchday squad against Ospreys on Saturday. Hint hint.
Especially when his path to the senior team with Leinster will be even further blocked with his former schoolboy second row partner Ross Molony, Mick Kearney, Ian Nagle, Devin Toner, and Mike McCarthy ready to stand in his way from next season.
See Also: Sky Sport's Dewi Morris Believes Ireland Have Found Their Next Paul O'Connell
See Also: You Won't See A Better Try Saving Tackle Than Ireland U20 Star James Ryan's Amazing Effort
Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
