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Donnacha Ryan

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Donnacha Ryan
Ryan warming up for Ireland during the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Date of birth (1983-12-11) 11 December 1983 (age 40)
Place of birthNenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland
Height2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
Weight115 kg (18.1 st; 254 lb)
SchoolSt Munchin's College
UniversityUniversity College Cork
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock, Flanker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Nenagh Ormond ()
20??–2017 Shannon ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004–2017 Munster 167 (35)
2017–2021 Racing 92 84 (15)
Correct as of 18 June 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2011 Ireland Wolfhounds 12 (0)
2008–2017 Ireland 47 (0)
Correct as of 18 March 2017
Coaching career
Years Team
2021– La Rochelle (Assistant coach)

Donnacha Ryan contesting a line-out in the Heineken Cup

Donnacha Ryan (born 11 December 1983) is an Irish former rugby union player and current coach. Ryan spent most of his career representing his native province Munster, spending 13 seasons at the club, before moving to French club Racing 92 in 2017, where he spent the final four seasons of his playing career before retiring and joining the coaching team at La Rochelle ahead of the 2021–22 season.[1] He played primarily as a lock, but could also play as a flanker.

Early career

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Ryan went to school at CBS Nenagh and played all his underage rugby with Nenagh Ormond, representing Munster and Irish Youths, before moving to St Munchin's College in Limerick, where he was a key member of the side that won the Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup in 2002. Ryan originally began playing rugby at the age of 17 in order to bulk up and earn selection for the Tipperary Minor Hurling team, but instead ended up pursuing rugby.[2] He joined Limerick amateur club Shannon, who play in the All-Ireland League, and won an AIL League medal with the club in the 2005–06 season.

Professional career

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Munster

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At the age of 20, Ryan made his debut for Munster against Ospreys on 3 September 2004 during a Celtic League fixture.[3][4] He made his Heineken Cup debut against Scarlets on 16 December 2007.[5] He played for Munster in their 2007–08 Heineken Cup semi-final against Saracens,[6] and was on the bench for the 2008 Heineken Cup Final against Toulouse, which Munster won 16–13.[7]

Ryan was part of the Munster squad that won the 2008–09 Celtic League, and he added a second Celtic League winners medal to his collection when Munster beat arch-rivals, and newly crowned Heineken Cup champions, Leinster 19–9 in the 2011 Celtic League Grand Final.[8] After the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he began to regularly partner Paul O'Connell in the Munster pack, particularly during the 2011–12 Heineken Cup, keeping Donncha O'Callaghan on the bench. It was announced on 13 March 2012 that Ryan had signed a contract extension with the IRFU.[9] On 8 April 2012, Ryan won his 100th cap for Munster in the 2011–12 Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster. He also won the Munster Player of the Year award for the 2011–12 season.[10]

Ryan started all of Munster's 2012–13 Heineken Cup pool games and was a crucial player in getting them through to the semi-finals. In December 2013, Ryan signed a new three-year contract with Munster.[11] On 1 October 2016, Ryan earned his 150th cap for Munster during the 2016–17 Pro12 fixture against Zebre.[12] On 27 May, Ryan made his final appearance for Munster when he started against Scarlets in the 2017 Pro12 Grand Final in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.[13][14]

Racing 92

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On 19 May 2017, it was announced that Ryan would be leaving Munster upon the conclusion on the 2016–17 season to join French Top 14 side Racing 92.[15] A neck hernia ruled Ryan out until the end of November 2017,[16] though he made his Racing debut on 3 December 2017[17] and started against his former club Munster on 14 January 2018.[18] Ryan featured as a replacement for Racing 92 in the 2020 European Rugby Champions Cup Final against English club Exeter Chiefs on 17 October, which the Parisian side narrowly lost 31–27.[19] Ryan's final game for Racing 92 was their 19–6 defeat against Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle in the semi-finals of the 2020–21 Top 14 season on 18 June 2021.[20]

Ireland

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Ryan represented Ireland at Youth U18 level and at U21. He made his debut for the Irish national team on 22 November 2008 in a test against Argentina in Croke Park, Dublin.[21] Ryan missed out on selection for the Ireland senior squad for the 2009 Six Nations Championship, and had to wait until the 2009 Summer Tests to play for Ireland again, earning caps against Canada and the USA.[22][23] He was named in the squad for the 2009 November Tests,[24] but did not earn any caps during the series.

Named in Ireland's squad for the 2010 Six Nations Championship,[25] Ryan made his Six Nations debut against Italy on 6 February 2010 as a replacement.[26] He made another replacement appearance against France on 13 February, but did not feature in the rest of the tournament. He missed out on selection for Ireland's 2010 Summer Tour, but was back for Ireland during the 2010 November Tests[27] and made appearances off the bench against South Africa and Samoa.

Ryan missed out on selection for Ireland's squad for the 2011 Six Nations Championship, but was named in the training squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[28] He made his first start for Ireland in the World Cup warm-up against Scotland on 6 August 2011, as well as playing against France and England. He won selection in the final 30-man squad for the tournament in New Zealand,[29] and made three appearances at the tournament, including a start against Russia and bench appearances against Italy and Wales. He was selected in Ireland's 24-man squad for the 2012 Six Nations Championship.[30] He came off the bench against Wales, Italy and France, and made his first Six Nations start in the Round 4 game against Scotland, in which he was named man of the match.[31] Ryan started in all of Ireland's tests against New Zealand in June 2012, as part the 2012 Tour of New Zealand, and the tests against South Africa and Argentina in November 2012.

Ryan continued to hold down the Ireland number 5 jersey going into the 2013 Six Nations Championship, starting against Wales,[32] England[33] Scotland,[34] France,[35] and Italy.[36] Ryan was added to Ireland's squad for the 2014 Six Nations Championship on 17 February 2014.[37] Ryan was named in the 45-man training squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup on 24 June 2015.[38] He started in the first World Cup warm-up against Wales on 8 August 2015.[39] Ryan came off the bench in the third warm-up game against Wales on 29 August 2015.[40] He was selected in the final 31-man squad for the World Cup when it was announced on 1 September 2015.[41] Ryan came off the bench in the final warm-up game against England on 5 September 2015.[42] He came off the bench in the pool opener against Canada on 19 September 2015.[43] Ryan started the second pool game against Romania on 27 September 2015.[44] He came off the bench for Ireland in the 43-20 quarter-final defeat against Argentina on 18 October 2015.[45]

On 20 January 2016, Ryan was named in Ireland's 35-man squad for the 2016 Six Nations.[46] On 7 February 2016, he came off the bench against Wales in Ireland's opening match of the Six Nations.[47] On 13 February 2016, he came off the bench against France in Ireland's second game of the Six Nations.[48] On 12 March 2016, Ryan won the Man-of-the-Match award in Ireland's 58-15 win against Italy.

On 25 May 2016, Ryan was named in the 32-man Ireland squad to tour South Africa in a 3-test series.[49] On 18 June 2016, Ryan came on as a replacement in the second test against South Africa. On 26 October 2016, Ryan was named in Ireland's squad for the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[50] On 5 November 2016, Ryan started in Ireland's test against New Zealand at Soldier Field, Chicago. Ireland's 40-29 win was their first ever against New Zealand.[51] On 23 January 2017, Ryan was named in the Ireland squad for the opening two rounds of the 2017 Six Nations Championship.[52] Having been dropped for the opening fixture against Scotland, Ryan was restored to Ireland's starting XV for the four remaining fixtures against Italy, France, Wales and England.[53][54][55][56]

Coaching career

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Upon the conclusion of the 2020–21 season, Ryan, who hadn't been offered a contract extension by Racing 92, rejected offers from Pro D2 clubs to continue his playing career and retired, joining the coaching team at La Rochelle, where Ryan's former Munster teammate and Racing 92 coach Ronan O'Gara was director of rugby.[1]

Ryan was part of the coaching setup at La Rochelle that won the 2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup beating Leinster in the final 24-21.[57]

The following year, La Rochelle repeated the achievement by winning 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup, this time beating Leinster 27-26 at the Aviva Stadium.[58] In a post-match interview, La Rochelle's Director of Rugby, Ronan O'Gara, commented on Ryan's involvement, saying, 'he's coaching for two years, he has two European Cup medals so he's probably the most performing coach in the world'.[59] Despite only coaching for two years, winning back to back European Champions Cup medals makes Ryan one of the most successful coaches in World Rugby.

Statistics

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International analysis by opposition

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Against Played Won Lost Drawn Tries Points % Won
 Argentina 3 2 1 0 0 0 66.67
 Canada 3 3 0 0 0 0 100
 England 6 1 5 0 0 0 20
 France 6 1 3 2 0 0 16.67
 Italy 6 5 1 0 0 0 83.33
 New Zealand 5 1 4 0 0 0 20
 Romania 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Russia 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Samoa 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Scotland 4 2 2 0 0 0 50
 South Africa 3 0 3 0 0 0 0
 United States 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Wales 7 2 4 1 0 0 28.57
Total 47 21 23 3 0 0 44.68

Correct as of 5 July 2017[60]

Honours

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Munster

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Racing 92

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Ireland A

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Donnacha Ryan joins coaching set-up at Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle". Irish Examiner. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Ryan Reflects On Time In Red". Munster Rugby. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Munster Make Two Changes". Munster Rugby. 1 September 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Ospreys 34–17 Munster". Munster Rugby. 3 September 2004. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  5. ^ "22–13 Win Puts Munster Top of Pool 5". Munster Rugby. 16 December 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Brave Munster Battle Through". Munster Rugby. 28 April 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  7. ^ "Munster Champions of Europe". Munster Rugby. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  8. ^ "Munster Crowned Magners League Champions". Munster Rugby. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  9. ^ "Ryan Sign On For Two More Years". Munster Rugby. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  10. ^ "Persistence pays off for Munster's gentle giant". Irish Examiner. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  11. ^ "Donnacha Ryan Signs Three Year Deal". Munster Rugby. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  12. ^ "Try Fest In Thomond". Munster Rugby. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  13. ^ "Munster Unchanged For Guinness PRO12 Final". Munster Rugby. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  14. ^ "Aviva Anguish In PRO12 Final". Munster Rugby. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  15. ^ "Player Contract Update". Munster Rugby. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  16. ^ "Neck injury rules Racing's Ryan out of return visit to Thomond Park". Irish Independent. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Donnacha Ryan Makes Long-Awaited Debut For Racing 92". Balls. 3 December 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  18. ^ "Donnacha Ryan leads the way for Racing against his mates in Munster". The42. 14 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  19. ^ "Exeter's Irish stalwarts victorious but Simon Zebo superb in defeat for Racing". The42. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Clinical La Rochelle end Simon Zebo's French adventure and march onto Top 14 final". Irish Examiner. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Ireland End Series With Crucial Win Over Pumas". irishrugby.ie. 22 November 2008. Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  22. ^ "Ireland Made To Work Hard For Canada Win". irishrugby.ie. 23 May 2009. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  23. ^ "Ireland Finish Tour With Four-Try Triumph". irishrugby.ie. 31 May 2009. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  24. ^ "Ireland Squad Announced For GUINNESS Series". irishrugby.ie. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  25. ^ "Ireland Squad Announced For RBS Six Nations". irishrugby.ie. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  26. ^ "Two-Try Ireland Grind Out Opening Win". irishrugby.ie. 6 February 2010. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  27. ^ "Ireland Squad Announced For GUINNESS Series". irishrugby.ie. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  28. ^ "Ireland Training Squad Is Announced". irishrugby.ie. 17 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  29. ^ "Ireland Rugby World Cup Squad Announcement". irishrugby.ie. 22 August 2011. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  30. ^ "Ireland And O2 Ireland Wolfhounds Squads Announced". irishrugby.ie. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  31. ^ "Four-Try Ireland See Off Scottish Challenge". irishrugby.ie. 10 March 2012. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  32. ^ "Cardiff Cracker Gets Ireland Up And Running". irishrugby.ie. 2 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  33. ^ "Penalties Decide It As Ireland Lose Brutal Contest". irishrugby.ie. 10 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  34. ^ "Six Nations: Scotland beat Ireland in Murrayfield turnaround". BBC Sport. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  35. ^ "Six Nations 2013: France recover to draw with Ireland". BBC Sport. 9 March 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  36. ^ "Six Nations 2013: Italy 22–15 Ireland". BBC Sport. 16 March 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  37. ^ "Extended Ireland Squad Named For England Game". irishrugby.ie. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  38. ^ "9 Munster Players Ireland Training Squad". munsterrugby.ie. 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  39. ^ "Ireland Win Opening Warm-Up Clash In Cardiff". irishrugby.ie. 8 August 2015. Archived from the original on 29 August 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  40. ^ "Tipuric And Halfpenny Guide Wales To Dublin Victory". irishrugby.ie. 29 August 2015. Archived from the original on 31 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  41. ^ "Ireland Squad Named For Rugby World Cup". irishrugby.ie. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  42. ^ "England Consign Ireland To Second Warm-Up Defeat". irishrugby.ie. 5 September 2015. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  43. ^ "Bonus Point Win Gets Ireland Off To Satisfying World Cup Start". irishrugby.ie. 19 September 2015. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  44. ^ "Ireland Back On Top After Second Bonus Point Victory". irishrugby.ie. 27 September 2015. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  45. ^ "Ireland's World Cup Journey Ended By Four-Try Pumas". irishrugby.ie. 18 October 2015. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  46. ^ "Ireland Squad Named For Opening Rounds Of RBS Six Nations". irishrugby.ie. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  47. ^ "Ireland And Wales Play Out Pulsating Draw In Dublin". irishrugby.ie. 7 February 2016. Archived from the original on 8 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  48. ^ "Ireland Suffer First Loss To France Since 2011". irishrugby.ie. 13 February 2016. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  49. ^ "32 players named in Ireland squad for South Africa tour". irishrugby.ie. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  50. ^ "Six Uncapped Players In Ireland Squad". irishrugby.ie. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  51. ^ "Ireland Stun All Blacks To Create History In Chicago". irishrugby.ie. 5 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  52. ^ "13 Munster Players In Ireland Squad". munsterrugby.ie. 23 January 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  53. ^ "Ireland Notch Nine Tries In Rome Rout". irishrugby.ie. 11 February 2017. Archived from the original on 12 February 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  54. ^ "Ireland Pass French Test To Stay In Title Contention". irishrugby.ie. 25 February 2017. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  55. ^ "Mistakes Cost Ireland as Three-Try Wales Emerge Triumphant". irishrugby.ie. 10 March 2017. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  56. ^ "Ireland Dig Deep To Deny England A Dublin Grand Slam". irishrugby.ie. 18 March 2017. Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  57. ^ "Retiere the hero as Stade Rochelais lift the Heineken Champions Cup".
  58. ^ "La Rochelle stun Leinster to retain Heineken Champions Cup".
  59. ^ "Ronan O'Gara Cracks up RTÉ Panel with Hilarious Donnacha Ryan Comments". 20 May 2023.
  60. ^ Donnacha Ryan, ESPN Scrum, 5 July 2017
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