IF YOU WERE to pick through the Ireland players unlucky not to be in the staring XV for last Friday’s Nations Championship win against Argentina, James Ryan might be top of the list.

The Leinster second row has been in excellent form, but had to make do with a place on the bench as Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne got the nod in the lock positions. Tough calls, and on this occasion, one that went against Ryan. Not that he lost any sleep over it.

“I didn’t go looking for any answers,” says Ryan, who has the experience and confidence to feel comfortable in the bench role.

“No, that was my part to play last week. I feel good at the moment. I feel coming into November, we had three good games with Leinster, Cardiff and then we went away to Clermont. We had a tough interpro against Munster. I feel coming in that I’m in good shape and fit.”

He gets his shot against Fiji on Saturday, and there’s a strong chance his physicality will be favoured when South Africa come to town next week. Last year’s meeting with the Springboks in Dublin was, in his own words, “a bit mad with everything that went on”, which included Ryan being red-carded for a reckless clearout just 20 minutes into the game.

Ireland can’t afford moments like that this time around, but still need to bring the necessary aggression that’s required to topple the Boks.

Ryan came off the bench against Argentina last week. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Before that, there’s a very different challenge to negotiate as Fiji come to town, a game which holds much more potential to be open, fast and loose.

“Well, hopefully, we don’t make it too nuts, because, ideally we’re accurate, and we have a bit of structure to play the game we want to play,” says Ryan.

“At the same time you know the way they like to play, obviously. They love to throw the ball around, they’ve got real X-factor, real pace. So for, making sure that when we do have the ball that we’re accurate, we’re not throwing it away, giving them access to play that style that they’re good at.”

And that fast, open game is still the DNA of this Fiji team, who have long been associated with less of a love for the fundamentals of the game, including the set-piece.

“Maybe that’s a perception but if you look at sort of the way they’ve gone about their business the last few months, they’re obviously trying to change things.

“Jake White’s come in, and he’s brought in Gert Smal from South Africa to take charge of their set piece. They are only going to get better every week in that respect. That’ll be an area they’re going to go after between now and the World Cup. To be honest, they’ve got some guys that are very good in the air. We absolutely respect them in that regard. For us, we were good in that area last week, so we want to push it on again this week as well.”

Ireland’s chief aim for the week is to bring the same accuracy and intent which was on display as they pulled clear of Argentina last Friday. With Andy Farrell making seven changes to his starting XV, that’s easier said than done.

Ryan has been excellent form for Leinster. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

“Definitely up front it is a big challenge. If you look at some of the athletes, it goes without saying obviously, they have huge power, so the tackle contest is going to be massive, our attitude in the collision is going to be massive.

“And also, just our connections, you know, especially when they have a bit of space, just making sure of that when we are defending, we are connected; getting after them in twos and threes. You know, so if one guy slips off, at least we’ve got someone to sort of sweep it up a bit. It is definitely a good test for us in that respect when it comes to tackling.

“A big thing for me would be my defence, going after that area,” he adds.

“Work away from the ball and how I make myself feel and hopefully the guys around me as well. Defensively would be a big one for me, just trying to go after that and get the absolute most out of myself.”

There have been many instances where this mid-November fixture hasn’t been an enjoyable one for Ireland, with victories against lower-ranked sides marred by disjointed performances as Farrell made sweeping changes.

“We’ll get a good sense of where we’re at this weekend. That’s what we said when we came in on Monday. It was a good result (against Argentina) but we can’t be happy with it.

“If we want to be in the best possible position we can be with everything that is coming around the corner over the next while. We have to be operating at our best level ever really.

“The big thing for us this week is growing on last week and being better again and more consistent, which I think will be important.”