James Ryan has been suspended after making a dangerous clearout at a ruck during last weekend’s loss to the Springboks in Dublin.
The 29-year-old was initially yellow-carded by referee Matthew Carley but it was upgraded to a 20 minute red card, after 20 minutes of Saturday’s 24-13 defeat, for a head-high challenge on Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx.
On Wednesday, he received a three-match ban, but could miss just two matches if he takes part in World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme.
SCHALLA: Malcolm is a marked man
Ryan will definitely sit out his province Leinster’s match with Welsh region Dragons on Friday – though it is unlikely he would have played after he appeared in all four of Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series matches – and the Investec Champions Cup opener against Harlequins on 6 December.
He could return for the Champions Cup trip to Leicester on 12 December.
Slap on the wrist for James Ryan who has been banned for *three weeks.
*Reduced by a week when he completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme. pic.twitter.com/cOFogIbDqc
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) November 26, 2025
– AFP