Ryan was sent off in the Dublin Test against South Africa for a dangerous cleanout on Malcolm Marx, with his yellow card upgraded to red. The Springboks went on to win 24–13 in a bruising contest. An independent committee handed Ryan a six-week ban, reduced to three for his clean record and early admission, and cut further after he completed the Coaching Intervention Programme, meaning he missed only two Leinster matches.

Ryan admitted the red card “devastated” him, saying he felt he let his teammates down. He explained tackle school involved recreating ruck scenarios, analysing what he should have done differently, and recording the sessions for review.

–SABC–