Ireland lock Donnacha Ryan is hoping he’ll be fit to face Italy in the final Six Nations game after picking up a injury in the draw with France at the Aviva Stadium.
“I just got a bang on my shoulder in the first half and it was frustrating to go off but I felt I’d given as much as I could to the team,” said Ryan.
“It’s in a sling at the moment and I just have to wait to see how it goes over the next few days and I should be grand for Italy.”
In spite of the weather the Irish lineout functioned well winning 14 out of 16 on their own throw with Ryan taking eight balls.
“They were trying conditions out there and I thought Rory (Best) threw very well and I probably didn’t take as much ball myself as I would have liked but if I’m given the ball I’ll take it.”
“Our lineout has been going well over the last few games and against Scotland they got lucky and I don’t think we had an awful day against them.”
“I thought we mauled very well of the lineout, at one stage we’d gone 20 metres and France pulled it down so it was nice to get a few penalties.”
Ryan was disappointed that Ireland despite leading 13-3 at half time couldn’t close the game out for a much needed win.
“It’s frustrating because we all want to win, we were a bit distraught after the Scotland result and this we we’d ask ourselves for a reaction and I thought we’d done enough to win, there were a few injuries and that’s a full strength French side.”
“We were very abrasive up front and that is very encouraging.”
“In the second half France were going to up the ante and they had more pressure, it wasn’t a day for throwing the ball around so you have to get the lucky breaks and were in the first half and in the second half they were getting them.”
“Saturday could have seen Brian O’Drsicoll’s last home game for Ireland and Ryan paid tribute to the former captain but thinks he may go on.
“He’s phenomenal, he is relentless, the way he speaks fills you with passion and it’s very good just to be in the same dressing room and be able to lace up your boots beside him.”
“Looking at him over the years you have nothing but the upmost admiration for it and to be playing along beside him is phenomenal.”
“With the way the man is playing I can’t see why it would be his last game and age is but a number, he’s playing really well and an they will probably sign him up on a development contract for two years and the whole of Irish rugby would love to see that,” joked Ryan.
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