It's been a long 12 months, but Donnacha Ryan returns to action this weekend. After his last appearance on a rugby pitch on March 22nd last year against Treviso, Ryan has been named on the bench for Munster's crucial away game against the Ospreys.
It's been a long road for Ryan, who has battled through knee and toe injuries that has seen him play only ten games of rugby in the last two years. He last played for Ireland under Declan Kidney two years ago this month.
The latest problem was with a sesamoid bone, which meant that scrummaging and lineout jumping was the only aspect of rugby that Ryan could not partake in. Given that he is a second row, it cleary caused him major discomfort.
It's a welcome return for Ryan, who will provide a major boost to Munster just as they appear to have turned a corner following their European exit and gives Ryan some time to attempt to convince Joe Schmidt that he is worthy of adding to his Ireland caps.
Munster Team To Play Ospreys:
15. JJ Hanrahan
14. Felix Jones
13. Keith Earls
12. Denis Hurley (c)
11. Ronan O'Mahony
10. Ian Keatley
9. Duncan Williams
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Eusebio Guinazu
3. BJ Botha
4. Donncha O'Callaghan
5. Billy Holland
6. Dave O'Callaghan
7. Sean Dougall
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Kevin O'Byrne
17. John Ryan
18. Stephen Archer
19. Donnacha Ryan
20. Jack O'Donoghue
21. Neil Cronin
22. Andrew Smith
23. Andrew Conway
