rugby
Share icon

Share

James Ryan continues to astound us all but rough start for Simon Zebo

Published 16:06 19 May 2018 BST

Patrick McCarry
James Ryan continues to astound us all but rough start for Simon Zebo

Homerugby

The young man is clearly determined to finish the season unbeaten, and with another trophy.

If you include Ireland's summer tours to America and Japan as part of 2017/18, James Ryan has 21 wins and 0 defeats in his first full year of professional rugby. The 21-year-old has already won himself a Grand Slam and a Champions Cup and is not finished yet. He is gunning for his first ever league winners' medal and lined up against a determined Munster side in the Guinness PRO14 semi-final at The RDS. James Lowe teed up Jack Conan for Leinster's first try but Ryan was, far and away, the best player on the park. This, of course, is following on from his man-of-the-match display in last weekend's Champions Cup final against Racing 92. https://twitter.com/PRO14Official/status/997848984877195264 In the opening half, Ryan forced a turnover with a shuddering tackle on Jean Kleyn and, five minutes later, sat Billy Holland down and set off on a 30-metre carry up the pitch. His 46 metres gained off five carries was second only to the lively Lowe. He landed nine successful tackles too. Needless to say, fans were raving about his impact again. https://twitter.com/no_bellybutton/status/997849463875096576 https://twitter.com/flash___g/status/997846442629885955 https://twitter.com/the2ndRow/status/997852592725217280 The half did not go quite as well for Munster fullback Simon Zebo. Off to Racing 92 this summer, Zebo was stepped with ease by Lowe before that Conan try and missed him again when their paths crossed soon after. Zebo's best contribution of the opening half saw him glide by Garry Ringrose and look to set up Keith Earls for a clean dart at the Leinster tryline. His pass was slightly behind Earls, though, and went out of play. To make matters worse, play was called back for a penalty but JJ Hanrahan snatched at his kick and it drifted wide. Some fans were frustrated at his return in a vital game for his side. https://twitter.com/S_OCearbhaill/status/997846757420752897 https://twitter.com/ConorMorris13/status/997848697961697280 https://twitter.com/gav_sunderland/status/997844072621662210 https://twitter.com/Darren_PH/status/997845761449775104 The contest is a lively one and Zebo is a player that can still produce the goods, as he has proved on countless occasions in the past.
James Ryan continues to astound us all but rough start for Simon Zebo