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James Ryan

rugby union player

James Ryan

Irish rugby union player

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James Ryan

Irish rugby union player

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Not who you're looking for? Others named James Ryan: Catholic bishop (1848-1923) · New Zealand rugby union player, born 1887 (1887–1957) · Irish politician (1891-1970) · rugby player

James John Ryan is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club Leinster and the Ireland national team.

Occupation: rugby union player
Citizenship: Ireland
Born: July 24, 1996

The Young Girl and the Monsoonknown for St Michael's College, Dublineducated at Ireland national under-20 rugby union teamteam Ireland men’s national rugby union teamteam Leinster Rugbyteam Munster Rugbyteam Irelandcountry of citizenship

Article

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.

Contents

Early life

Ryan is the great-grandson of Dr. James Ryan, a prominent figure in Irish history who participated in the 1916 Easter Rising. 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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The Young Girl and the Monsoon St Michael's College, Dublin Ireland national under-20 rugby union team Ireland men’s national rugby union team Leinster Rugby Munster Rugby Ireland

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James John Ryan is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club Leinster and the Ireland national team.

Occupation: rugby union player
Citizenship: Ireland
Born: July 24, 1996

The Young Girl and the Monsoonknown for St Michael's College, Dublineducated at Ireland national under-20 rugby union teamteam Ireland men’s national rugby union teamteam Leinster Rugbyteam Munster Rugbyteam Irelandcountry of citizenship

Related journals

Connected

The Young Girl and the Monsoon St Michael's College, Dublin Ireland national under-20 rugby union team Ireland men’s national rugby union team Leinster Rugby Munster Rugby Ireland

Article

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.

Contents

Early life

Ryan is the great-grandson of Dr. James Ryan, a prominent figure in Irish history who participated in the 1916 Easter Rising. 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

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.

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 province's opening 2017–18 Pro14 win against Dragons and playing for 21 minutes.

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

On January 17, 2026, Ryan made his 50th appearance for Leinster in the Champions Cup, as the Irish side won 22–13 at Bayonne and secured its spot in the round of 16.

International career

Ryan played for Ireland before making his competitive debut for Leinster in September 2017.

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. 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. 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.

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

Career statistics

International analysis by opposition

as of 24 July 2025

Honours

Individual

1× IRUPA Players' Player of the Year: 2019

Leinster

1× European Rugby Champions Cup: 2018

5x Pro14/URC: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024–25

Ireland

3× Six Nations Championship: 2018, 2023, 2024

2× Grand Slam: 2018, 2023

3× Triple Crown: 2018, 2022, 2023

Personal life

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

Article from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), where it is maintained by volunteer editors.

Not who you're looking for? Others named James Ryan: Catholic bishop (1848-1923) · New Zealand rugby union player, born 1887 (1887–1957) · Irish politician (1891-1970) · rugby player